The Australian Labor Party Caucus comprises all Australian Labor Party (ALP) senators and members of parliament of the current Commonwealth Parliament. The Caucus determines some matters of policy, parliamentary tactics, and disciplinary measures against disobedient parliamentarians. It is alternatively known as the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party (FPLP).[1]
The Caucus is also involved in the election of the federal parliamentary leaders from among its members, as well as their dismissal. The leader has historically been a member of the House of Representatives, but though by convention a Prime Minister is the person who has the support of a majority in the House of Representatives. Since October 2013, a ballot of both the Caucus and by the Labor Party’s rank-and-file members has determined the party leader and the deputy leader. Bill Shorten was the first leader elected under the new system in late 2013.[2] In government, the federal Caucus also chooses the Ministers, with the portfolios then allocated by the Labor Prime Minister.
Caucus leadership
The word “caucus” has American roots and is not commonly used in Australia outside of the ALP. In the non-Labor parties, such party meetings are more commonly described as a “party room”.[5]
Caucus membership
Party factions
The Caucus is divided along formal factional lines, with most voting taking place on a bloc factional basis, especially in the case of appointments, and may involve cross-factional deals. The two biggest factions are the Labor Right and the Labor Left. Each of these factions contains smaller state-based factions, such as (on the Right) the Victorian Labor Unity group and (on the Left) the Victorian Socialist Left.[134] Members who are not associated with either faction are described as Independents. The two main factions hold factional meetings once a week during Parliamentary sitting weeks.[135][136]
Factional allegiances in the Caucus tend to be closely related to state political loyalties, and also to trade union affiliations. Large unions such as the Australian Workers’ Union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, regard as “theirs” Members and Senators who formerly held office in those unions, or who have received union support in gaining their preselections, and expect them to act in the union’s interests.[137][138]
Gallery
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First General Council of the Australian Labour Federation, Brisbane, 1 August 1890
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Federal Labour Party MPs elected to the Australian House of Representatives and Australian Senate at the inaugural 1901 election
-
Federal Labour Party, Federal City Camp site, Canberra, 1909
-
Members of the Australian Labor Party, Fourth Commonwealth Parliament, 13 April 1910
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Members of the Australian Labor Party Caucus at Parliament House in February 1928
-
Australian Labor Party federal MPs from New South Wales, 1930
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Labor MPs and Senators of the Scullin government, 1929
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Frank Tudor, Labor’s first House whip (1901–1908), and the party’s sixth leader (1916–1922)
-
James Stewart, Labor’s first Senate whip (1901–03)
See also
- List of whips in the Australian Senate
- List of whips in the Australian House of Representatives
- Members of the Australian Senate, 2025–2028
- Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 2025-2028
- Gang of Four (Australian Labor Party)
Notes
- ^ Claydon has also served as Deputy Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives since 26 July 2022.
- ^ Served as Manager of Opposition Business from 18 October 2013 to 23 May 2022
- ^ Served as Opposition Whip from 2 July 2019 to 31 May 2022
- ^ Dick was elected Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives on 26 July 2022, and re-elected in 2025. Although still a member of the Labor Caucus, Dick has chosen to comply with longstanding Australian parliamentary convention and not attend caucus meetings while serving as Speaker.[36][37]
- ^ Served as Senator for New South Wales, 2011–2013
- ^ Served as a Senator for Tasmania, 2011–2025
- ^ Served as a Member of the Australian House of Representatives for Higgins, 2022–2025
- ^ Served as a Member of the Australian House of Representatives for Robertson, 2010–2013
References
- ^ “Party leadership changes and challenges: a quick guide”. aph.gov.au. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ Harrison, Bill (13 October 2013). “Bill Shorten elected Labor leader”. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
- ^ “Senate Party Leaders and Whips”. directory.gov.au. Australian Government. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ “House of Representatives Party Leaders and Whips”. directory.gov.au. Australian Government. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ “Party whip”. Parliamentary Education Office. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ “Gender composition of Australian parliaments by party”. aph.gov.au. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- ^ Johns, David (9 May 2025). “Explainer: Full list of Australian Labor Party factions and politicians aligned to them”. Seven West Media Limited. The Nightly. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ “Current federal electorates”. www.aec.gov.au. Australian Electoral Commission.
- ^ “Calwell Federal Election 2025 Results”. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. www.abc.net.au. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
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- ^ “Barton Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Dunkley (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Whitlam Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “McMahon Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
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- ^ “Spence Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Macnamara (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Hindmarsh Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
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- ^ “Bullwinkel (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 10 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ Curtis, Katina (26 July 2022). “Parliament’s Muppet stuntman is now in charge of the whole show”. Nine Entertainment Co. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ^ Greber, Jacob (30 August 2025). “Labor’s big backbench isn’t interested in having a debate”. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC News. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
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- ^ “Dickson (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
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- ^ “Moore (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Chisholm (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
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- ^ “Perth Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Solomon (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Deakin (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Bruce Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Forde Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Chifley Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Brisbane (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Gorton Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Cooper Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Burt Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Wills Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Ballarat Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Brand Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Hasluck Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Bennelong (*) (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 3 May 2025. Archived from the original on 3 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Fenner Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Tangney (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Corio Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Swan Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Eden-Monaro Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Dobell (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
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- ^ “Fraser Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Blair (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Menzies (*) (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Hotham Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Canberra Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Gilmore (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Sydney Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Hawke Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Robertson (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Hunter (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Kingston Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
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- ^ “Greenway Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Lalor Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Lingiari (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Reid (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Bean Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Leichhardt (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Banks Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Werriwa (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Paterson (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Bass (Key Seat) Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Macquarie Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Kingsford Smith Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Jagajaga Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ “Braddon Federal Election 2025 Results”. www.abc.net.au. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
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Bibliography
- “Who’s Who in the Factional Zoo,” a table appearing on page 415-416 of The Latham Diaries by Mark Latham.


