Young Labour (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
Young Labour is an official sector of the New Zealand Labour Party
. All New Zealand Labour Party members aged 15 to 25 are members of Young Labour.
Although Young Labour is not an organisation which necessarily leads to a political career in Parliament or within the party, many of the Fifth Labour Government's Cabinet, including former Prime Minister
Helen Clark
and current Labour Party leader Phil Goff
began their political activism in Young Labour.
The Young Labour executive is elected annually, and members come from all over New Zealand. There is a requirement that neither gender has over 60% representative on the executive.
, supports voluntary student unionism
(VSU). Young Labour opposes VSU arguing that universal student membership is vital for the maintenance of student representation in universities and for the continued existence of vital parts of university infrastructure funded by collective input from all students. In 1997, MP Michael Laws
passed an amendment to the Education Act 1989 allowing VSU under the conditions that 10 percent of students sign a petition to force a referendum, and a majority of students in the referendum vote for VSU.
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
. All New Zealand Labour Party members aged 15 to 25 are members of Young Labour.
Description
Young Labour is primarily a policy discussion and campaign group of young people within the Labour Party. It is often called the 'conscience of the party'. Young Labour has worked on issues ranging from the repeal of Section 59 of the Crimes Act, and has been influential in discussions concerning climate change, liquor law reform and advocacy for universal student membership in student unions.Although Young Labour is not an organisation which necessarily leads to a political career in Parliament or within the party, many of the Fifth Labour Government's Cabinet, including former Prime Minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
Helen Clark
Helen Clark
Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
and current Labour Party leader Phil Goff
Phil Goff
Philip Bruce Goff is the current Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. During the Fifth Labour Government, he served in a number of ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Defence of New Zealand, Minister of Corrections, Minister of Foreign Affairs and...
began their political activism in Young Labour.
The Young Labour executive is elected annually, and members come from all over New Zealand. There is a requirement that neither gender has over 60% representative on the executive.
Universal Student Unionism
Young Labour is a part of the opposition movement to the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill. The Bill, put forward by ACT Party MP Sir Roger DouglasRoger Douglas
Sir Roger Owen Douglas , is a New Zealand politician who formerly served as a senior New Zealand Labour Party Cabinet minister. He became arguably best-known for his prominent role in the radical economic restructuring undertaken by the Fourth Labour Government during the 1980s...
, supports voluntary student unionism
Voluntary student unionism
Voluntary student unionism is a policy, notable in Australia, under which membership of – and payment of membership fees to – university student organisations is voluntary....
(VSU). Young Labour opposes VSU arguing that universal student membership is vital for the maintenance of student representation in universities and for the continued existence of vital parts of university infrastructure funded by collective input from all students. In 1997, MP Michael Laws
Michael Laws
Michael Laws is a New Zealand politician, broadcaster and writer/columnist. He served two terms as a Member of the New Zealand Parliament, representing the National Party and New Zealand First . He was elected as Mayor of Wanganui in 2004, was re-elected in 2007 but announced his retirement from...
passed an amendment to the Education Act 1989 allowing VSU under the conditions that 10 percent of students sign a petition to force a referendum, and a majority of students in the referendum vote for VSU.
Executive
The current Young Labour President is Ella Hardy. Other executive members and their contact details are displayed on the Young Labour website.See also
- Dunedin Young Labour
- Vic LabourVic LabourVicLabour is branch of the New Zealand Labour Party. The branch is primarily made up of students from Victoria University and Massey University in Wellington, and focuses on issues relevant to young New Zealanders...
- Princes Street LabourPrinces Street LabourPrinces Street Labour is a branch of the New Zealand Labour Party in Auckland.It is part of the Auckland Central Labour Electorate Committee. It is a "special branch" under the Labour Party constitution which means that members may live outside the boundaries of Auckland Central electorate and do...
- New Zealand Labour PartyNew Zealand Labour PartyThe New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....