New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has issued a stark warning to his Labor party, cautioning that retaining power will be akin to "climbing Everest" amidst the increasing electoral threat posed by Pauline Hanson's One Nation. As he addressed the NSW Labor conference in Sydney, Mr Minns acknowledged the deep-seated concerns of working families and outlined ambitious plans for economic growth and investment in industry – a move likely to resonate with voters who are increasingly disenchanted with the current government.
The conference at Sydney's Town Hall was marked by controversy. Two individuals, protesting against Israel's actions in Gaza, unfurled a Palestinian flag from a balcony before being swiftly removed by NSW police. This high-profile gesture reflects ongoing tensions within the party regarding the conflict. Outside the venue, security measures, including fencing and police lines, kept other protesters at bay – among them members of Labor Friends of Palestine.
In his address, Mr Minns eschewed a "victory lap," instead focusing on the economic landscape and his government's agenda. A key plank of this is a significant commitment to extend the state's apprenticeship program and revive train manufacturing in the Hunter region – an initiative valued at approximately £6.3 billion (AUD$12 billion) over 15 years, which aims to create jobs in construction and manufacturing. Potential sites for a state-owned, privately operated facility have been identified in Teralba or Broadmeadow.
Despite the positive reception to these announcements within the chamber, internal party concerns were evident. Fifty-six Labor branches have put forward motions calling for the repeal or review of contentious anti-protest laws – a sentiment backed by the entire left faction. There is also apprehension among members that key debates on protest laws, gambling reform, and the AUKUS nuclear agreement might be overshadowed due to their placement late on the conference agenda.
Mr Minns directly addressed the rising influence of One Nation, criticising leaders who demand conformity to a "monoculture" and reject the diverse heritage of millions of Australians. He specifically condemned rhetoric that targets Australian families of Islamic faith – referencing a political leader's declaration of "no good Muslims." With recent polling showing Labor ahead in NSW with 32% of the primary vote, compared to the Coalition's 26% and One Nation's 22%, Mr Minns stressed the importance of actively combating complacency to "beat back that darkness at the ballot box."
The Premier emphasised the rapidly changing political landscape, urging delegates not to assume victory. He stated that despite 29 years in the Labor party, he understands the need to "climb Everest just to stay where we are," anticipating a challenging campaign ahead – one that will test the mettle of his government and its ability to address the underlying concerns driving support for populist parties.