ACTing Labour has invited Bakchos from BlakandBlack to provide a firsthand perspective on the Australian Labour Party. We welcome this guest post.

I want to dive into a topic that’s been weighing heavily on my mind—transparency and accountability within the Australian Labor Party (ALP). Now, I know many of us on the left have often felt that the ALP stands as a beacon of integrity and honesty, especially when compared to the Liberal Party. But after two decades of digging into the political landscape, my perspective has shifted, and I believe it’s time we shine a light on some troubling issues that can’t be ignored.

Let’s talk about the ACT branch of the ALP. This isn’t just a small issue; we’re talking about around $130 million from the ACT home loan portfolio. This scheme was originally designed to help low-income individuals secure housing – a noble cause, right? But here’s where things get murky. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that these funds have been misappropriated, with some evidence pointing to money being laundered through a brothel. Yes, you read that right – a brothel. And to make matters worse, it appears that a portion of these funds found their way back to certain individuals within the federal ALP.

This isn’t just hearsay. The first inklings of this scandal came to light in a Public Interest Disclosure (PID) back in 2000. Fast forward to 2003, and the ACT Commissioner for Revenue documented these issues in an omnibus PID sent to then ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope. I even found myself in court back in 2017, trying to bring this situation to the forefront. Despite the compelling evidence and the findings of a Supreme Court jury, it feels like there’s been more effort put into covering this up than addressing it.

So, here’s my question: how can the ALP continue to position itself as a moral authority, pointing fingers at others while ignoring its own alleged misdeeds? It’s baffling! The ALP has often criticized other parties for their lack of integrity, yet when faced with serious allegations, they seem to go radio silent. This double standard isn’t just disappointing; it’s downright unacceptable.

As voters, we deserve to know the truth. We have the right to hold our political representatives to the highest standards of integrity. It’s time for the ALP to step up and address these serious allegations head-on. Transparency and accountability should be the bedrock of any political party, and it’s essential that all parties, including the ALP, commit to these principles.

We really do need to demand a political landscape where honesty is the norm, not the exception. We need a system where all parties are held accountable for their actions, regardless of their political affiliation. It’s time for the ALP to come clean about what’s been happening and work to restore the trust that seems to be slipping away from the electorate.