In Chapter 4 and 7 Amanda tells some of the early the story of Labor for Refugees, a tribe of ALP rank-and-file members and unionists that came together to change how the ALP treated refugees. It formed after the 2001 Federal Election where Prime Minister John Howard mobilised fear and division against refugees arriving by boat.
In this podcast Amanda narrates an article reflecting on the experience of forming the group and seeking to make change, and explores what its lessons offer for making change on other polarised issues such as climate change.
You can read the original article online at Australian Fabian Review here.
This is only a small part of the Labor for Refugees story – it still continues and you can find out more about its work and subsequent activities here.
Episode description (2023)
Examining the tough relationships between mainstream progressive parties and movements in Australia, host Amanda Tattersall looks back at her own experience. She tells the story of the 2001-2004 refugee movement’s attempt to shift the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and examines what worked, and what was learnt. Lessons are drawn for the climate movement today. This piece was also published by Fabian Review in February 2022.
