Why I joined Labor
Student and new Labor member, Brontë Cleary, explains why she joined up to the Labor Party.
After reading Andrew MacLeod’s piece on The Age website about why he left the Labor Party, I found myself reflecting on the reasons I decided to join up in January and, more importantly, why I’m in it for the long haul.
I was born into a family of Labor supporters 19 years ago. Like Andrew MacLeod, my decision to join the Party was not automatic; it came after much reflection.
I was brought up in John Howard’s Australia, just as my mother was brought up in Robert Menzies’ Australia. My interest in politics was ignited by Labor’s winning campaign in the 2007 Federal Election. At the time I didn’t know how Labor’s values and policies had played a role in my family’s life and, in turn, my own upbringing. The social changes instigated by the new Labor Government – such as The Apology to the Stolen Generation – filled our house with pride and fuelled my interest in Labor politics.
Social justice may not be exclusive to the Labor movement, but it has always been at the heart of the Labor party.
My family has benefited in the past from Labor’s social programmes. By the time my nana was my age, she was looking after two children on her own. Without Labor’s policies on social welfare, she would have remained impoverished – probably for life.
Today, the Labor Party’s belief in social justice is reflected in countless policies. The recent change to the Sex Discrimination Act will reduce violence against women and children, while the delivery of DisabilityCare will impact a long-marginalised group of Australians.
While there are vocal and – at times – very public debates within the Labor Party on issues like marriage equality and asylum seekers, I know by being a vocal and active member of the Party that I can fight for my personal beliefs and for a stronger Labor Party.
It means I can help to influence policy. The same way that Rainbow Labor fought to have Labor’s platform changed to support marriage equality and gave Labor MPs a conscience vote on the issue. Labor is still the only major party that allows conscience votes on marriage equality.
I joined Labor because I firmly believe that being a member is the best way to positively affect policy. Struggles for change are rarely quickly won, which is why I believe being involved in the Labor movement is a long-term commitment – not one easily given up because of a single issue.
And many agree: last year Labor’s membership grew by thousands, while I’ve seen for myself how young people are getting involved on uni campuses ahead of the Federal Election.
I’ve only been in the Labor Party for five months, but I already feel like I am making a difference. And I intend to for many years to come.
Click here if you would like to join Labor too.
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