Challenge Magazine

Challenge Magazine Challenge is a publication of the Left of the Australian Labor Party. Challenge supports equality and social justice, and a Labor party which is democratic.

We believe these are ideas worth fighting for. If you agree, then Challenge is the magazine for you. We have been published since October 1976 in NSW, arguing passionately for these values. We haven’t always been successful, as will be evident to the casual observer of modern Labor. Importantly though, you know where we stand. Challenge has a record of focusing on the positive discussion of ideas.

We tend to leave the focus on personalities and conflict to others. Thanks for your support, and we welcome your comments. We encourage robust but respectful discussion about posts, however we review all comments and will remove any that are inappropriate, offensive or contravene any of the following community guidelines.

• No profane, defamatory, offensive or violent language

• No links containing sexually explicit, racist or offensive content material

• No discussion of illegal activity

• No “trolling”: comments that deliberately disrupt or hijack discussion will not be tolerated

• No promotion of a rival political party or candidate – this is a Labor community

• No violations of copyright or intellectual property rights

• Keep discussion on the broad topic of the post

• Refrain from “flooding” the comments, or dominating the discussion by over-posting

We reserve the right to delete comments or ban users for any reason we deem appropriate.

Earlier this month, unionists took part in a joint Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA & APAN - Australia Palestine Advocacy Netwo...
31/08/2023

Earlier this month, unionists took part in a joint Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA & APAN - Australia Palestine Advocacy Network study tour of Palestine.

Danae Bosler wrote about what she saw and the importance of ongoing solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Danae Bosler In August 2023, a delegation of seven union officials and labour lawyers undertook a week-long study tour through Palestine. The tour was hosted by the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network (APAN) and Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA, the global justice organisation of the Australian union mov...

Our 2023 ALP National Conference issue of Challenge Magazine is now available to read online 👇 👇 👇 nswlaborleft.com/chal...
22/08/2023

Our 2023 ALP National Conference issue of Challenge Magazine is now available to read online 👇 👇 👇

nswlaborleft.com/challenge-2023

The National Conference 2023 edition of the Left's Challenge Magazine. The Left faction is a coalition of forces, in the ALP branches and affiliated unions, that is bound together by the aspiration to build a freer and fairer society.

Precious time has been wasted in the climate culture wars. Climate change is real. Action is needed to limit global heat...
21/01/2023

Precious time has been wasted in the climate culture wars. Climate change is real. Action is needed to limit global heating. The transition is here, and it is happening to us, not with us.

This is why we need a decision making table and a seat at it. We need an independent, fully resourced National Energy Transition Authority to build a plan. A statutory body, that will manage this transition – because encouragement and voluntary participation of private capital will not get us there.

Labor has been the party from and for the working class. There will be resistance politically to have an authority with teeth to drive this change in our collective interests. Together we can deliver justice for workers in this transition. We can have climate action and job creation.

Thanks to Steve Murphy, National Secretary of the AMWU - Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union for this piece from our 2022 Conference Edition.

Precious time has been wasted in the climate culture wars. Climate change is real. Action is needed to limit global heating.

This week Tanya Plibersek announced that the Albanese Labor Government would enact some of the toughest laws in generati...
09/12/2022

This week Tanya Plibersek announced that the Albanese Labor Government would enact some of the toughest laws in generations to protect our environment.

The Minister for Environment and Water wrote about some of the issues facing Australia in our Conference Edition. You can check it out here 👇

After Labor’s election victory on 21 May, millions of progressives and true believers around Australia woke up with an extra spring in their step. I certainly did. After a wasted decade – after a decade of drift and neglect, where people lost faith in the power of government – the entire Labor...

"This victory is a tribute to the women who have led the campaign, and those who have shared their stories. This victory...
29/10/2022

"This victory is a tribute to the women who have led the campaign, and those who have shared their stories. This victory is a tribute to the unity and solidarity of our great trade union movement. This victory is a tribute to what can only be achieved when we elect progressive labor governments.

But I especially want to acknowledge, that this victory is only possible because people were willing to change minds and have their minds changed. It is one thing to be on the right side of history because you always agreed, but it is a testament to the human condition that those who didn’t immediately agree could engage generously, listen, learn, and move their position. They can join us in our campaign for a more just society."

Natalie Lang Eight years on from launching the We Won’t Wait campaign to win 10 days Paid Family and domestic violence leave for all workers we are on the eve of winning this life saving entitlement with the looming passage of the Albanese Government’s historic legislation. In my 16 years as a u...

"We live in one of the richest nations on earth, at the richest time in human history. If we cannot tackle these issues ...
20/10/2022

"We live in one of the richest nations on earth, at the richest time in human history. If we cannot tackle these issues now, when will we ever be able to?

After the pandemic more seems possible, when even an intractable issue like rough sleeping could be temporarily solved with hotel accommodation. Pandemic welfare measures also showed how quickly government action can address poverty. In 2020, an 8 per cent rise in incomes of the lowest 20 per cent saw many being able to afford essentials, bills and rent without stress for the first time. St Vincent de Paul New South Wales reported a 75 per cent drop in people needing help."

Thanks to John Graham for this contribution to our Conference Special.

We live in one of the richest nations on earth, at the richest time in human history. If we cannot tackle these issues now, when?

"We will need a united “Yes” campaign that captures your attention and the imagination of the Australian people. Everyon...
20/10/2022

"We will need a united “Yes” campaign that captures your attention and the imagination of the Australian people.

Everyone has a part to play.

From sports clubs, schools, community groups and the union movement.

It’s everyone’s responsibility to get this done.

In the years to come, we will be able to measure the success of referendum not just by the number of people who vote for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, but by the lives that the Voice helps to improve."

Check out Linda Burney's contribution to the Challenge Magazine NSW Conference Special here 👇

The Hon. Linda Burney MP Amid the enormous amount of work that goes with being a new Minister, I’ve been doing a lot of reflection recently. Perhaps it’s the stage of life that I find myself. I’ve been in politics for a while now – From the walk for Reconciliation over the Sydney Harbour Bri...

"It is time to explore new approaches to regional development and community wealth building offers a nuanced, flexible a...
15/10/2022

"It is time to explore new approaches to regional development and community wealth building offers a nuanced, flexible approach where Governments can support local, ground up initiatives.

Over the last decade or so, Community Wealth Building (CWB) has been embraced in several jurisdictions in the UK and the USA by local authorities responsible for communities and sections of the population “left behind” by the economy. Communities with high rates of disadvantage and unemployment, combined with diminished local economic self-determination and capacity."

Check out Mick Veitch MLC in our Challenge Conference Edition discussing the need for a new approach to regional development.

Mick Veitch MLC Regional development in NSW has been misused under the current NSW Coalition Government. Their outdated approach is either based on a “tax and spend” methodology or the distribution of funds derived from one off public asset sales, funds that are swiftly running out. In recent ti...

"In the era of teal independents, who have claimed the community organising model that is fundamental to the way in whic...
15/10/2022

"In the era of teal independents, who have claimed the community organising model that is fundamental to the way in which the ALP was first conceived and structured, we must do better - we must genuinely empower our members and make their experience of membership a meaningful and rewarding one."

Thanks to NSW Left Secretary Rosie Ryan for this discussion on the Left's wins at the last Federal Election, and where we go from here.

Rosie Ryan On the night of the Federal Election, I was in the seat of Gilmore, one of our must-hold marginals where I’d been campaigning in the months leading up to 21 May. Gilmore was one of several seats around the country where we didn’t get a result on the night, so as the razor’s edge boo...

The 2022 Challenge Edition is now LIVE 👇
14/10/2022

The 2022 Challenge Edition is now LIVE 👇

Challenge Magazine presents its 2022 NSW Conference Edition

Our history proves that the right to protest is essential to a well-functioning democracy. It attracts a degree of prote...
13/10/2022

Our history proves that the right to protest is essential to a well-functioning democracy. It attracts a degree of protection under our Constitution.

Nonetheless, it is vulnerable to politicians who want to attack protestors and the causes they stand for. We cannot let these attacks succeed. When our right to protest is quashed, so is a pillar of our democratic state.

Thanks to Angus McFarland from the Australian Services Union NSW & ACT for this piece on protest in NSW for the Challenge Magazine State Conference Special.

Popular protest movements have shaped Australian society. Women’s suffrage, protected wilderness areas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land rights and equal marriage are now considered to be a normal part of our lives, but only exist because ordinary Australians took to the streets. Our his...

"We need to keep diversity and inclusion in mind whenever we plan activities and events. This isn’t difficult and the re...
30/09/2022

"We need to keep diversity and inclusion in mind whenever we plan activities and events. This isn’t difficult and the rewards are great – a Labor Party that truly reflects the lived experience of some 20% of Australians who have some form of disability.

Accessibility will make our party better, stronger, more diverse and representative. Please feel free to share this article, quote from it and make further suggestions. Most of all, please implement these suggestions and ask all members with disability to have a say about what affects them."

We need to keep diversity and inclusion in mind whenever we plan activities and events.

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