green energy, Israel, voluntary assisted dying policy on agenda
Labor will underpin a stunning series of green energy moves at its national conference this week as the party fights over a “genocide” motion related to the conflict in Gaza and considers whether to allow voluntary assisted dying via telehealth.
Left-wing Labor MP Jerome Laxale will support a motion from the party’s environmental network to get rid of tax “decarbonisation impediments”, which refer to tax credits that have partly slowed mining firms’ efforts to switch to electricity.
The move is supported by other MPs but is likely to face resistance from the mining industry, which is critical to supporting the federal budget and mining states such as Western Australia.
Separately, the party’s draft national platform includes a paragraph stating “Labour will ensure that Australian people get a fairer return on their natural resources, including through appropriate taxation arrangements.” This section is a reference to the possibility of a gas tax, which has been the subject of a viral populist campaign in recent months.
Ministers considered changes to diesel credits and gas revenue before the closure of the Strait of Hormuz led to fuel shortages and sparked debate on fossil fuels. Labor has come under pressure from One Nation, the Greens and Liberal Andrew Hastie over the gas tax, and MPs believe the party should be seen to get a fair deal from gas companies ahead of the next election.
The Electricity Trade Association is also trying to gain cross-party support for a controversial proposal to create subsidized energy for industries by nationalizing large parts of the electricity grid.
The triennial conference, which will serve as a launchpad for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s 2028 election bid, is expected to sign principles that could ultimately lead to a gas export tax and reverse a plan to give miners, farmers and other industries a refund of the 52.6 cents per liter excise duty on petrol and diesel. Doing so would save approximately $2.5 billion annually.
MPs and factional apparatchiks are also sparring over its stance on the Israeli government ahead of a three-day conference that begins in Adelaide on Thursday. The conference serves as a signal about the party’s priorities and creates a platform document that guides the cabinet’s policy agenda.
The right wing rejected demands from a group called Labor for Palestine, a group of ordinary activists who proposed using the term “genocide” in a motion on the conflict in Gaza. The group also proposed statements in support of the controversial boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement.
Lawmakers on both sides of the party aim to agree on a resolution that calls out Hamas while also criticizing Israel’s military policy and actions in the West Bank. However, far-left elements are looking for maximalist statements, and pro-Israel sections of the Right are considering taking a separate step on anti-Semitism.
“We need more than a full phased managed approach,” said a figure on the right, rejecting requests from the offices of Albania and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who are seeking a managed solution.
The source said hardline elements should be allowed to have their say in the conference hall so that they could be ridiculed by more mainstream members attending the meeting.
The left will also push for a change in the law that would lift the ban on using phone, video or email to talk to a doctor about voluntary assisted dying.
All six Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory have legalized the practice, but the federal Criminal Code makes it an offense to use a transport service to encourage or advise suicide.
This pre-existing criminal legislation regarding “suicide” was not intended to apply specifically to voluntary assisted dying.
Labor figures criticized by Ed Husic and Kim Carr criticized the party for a lack of discussion on issues such as AUKUS and tax ahead of the meeting. It is unlikely that the conference will require any votes on major policy issues.
There will be no need to vote for positions on the national executive committee, which selects election candidates, after the left decided not to push for the 11th seat on the 20-person committee, maintaining factional balance.
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Paul Sakkal is the Chief Political Correspondent. He has previously covered Victorian politics and won the Walkley award as well as the 2025 Press Gallery Journalist of the Year award. Contact him securely on Signal @paulsakkal.14.Connect with: X or email.
