New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has admitted the Labor party must 'climb Everest' to stay in power, citing the rising threat of One Nation ahead of the 2027 state election. Speaking at the NSW Labor state conference in Sydney on Saturday, Minns received a standing ovation but also faced protests over the Gaza conflict.
Protests and Security at the Conference
As Minns made his way to the stage, two men unfurled a Palestinian flag from the balcony and were quickly removed by NSW police. Outside, protesters including members of Labor Friends of Palestine were kept away by security fencing and police lines, a site of a previous protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog in February. Fifty-six Labor branches have passed motions calling for controversial anti-protest laws to be repealed or reviewed, backed by the entire left faction.
Policy Announcements: Apprenticeships and Train Manufacturing
Minns announced plans to extend the state's apprenticeship program and bring train manufacturing back to the Hunter region. The government has identified potential sites for a state-owned, privately operated facility in Teralba or Broadmeadow. Labor says the $12 billion commitment over 15 years will provide 780 jobs in site construction and 550 in manufacturing. The announcement was met with cheers and applause.
Upper House Ticket Resolved Ahead of Conference
A potential fight over the eight-person upper house Labor ticket for the March 2027 state election was resolved ahead of time, avoiding a conference-wide ballot. After an 11th-hour resolution, the seven named candidates signed on to the order on Friday night. The ticket is led by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey (right faction), followed by Penny Sharpe (left faction). Anthony D'Adam, a vocal critic of Labor's protest laws, Aukus, and stance on the Middle East, is fourth. Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty, seventh on the ticket, faces a tough contest amid rising support for One Nation.
Minns Addresses One Nation Threat and Criticises Divisive Politics
Minns addressed the rising threat of Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, referenced frequently in speeches. Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey, also on the upper house ticket, said: 'We will never see the Liberals, One Nation or the Nationals stand up to make sure working conditions or our pay is not determined by who you are or where you were born.' Minns criticised 'leaders who are insisting that millions of people reject pride in their grandparents and ancestors and instead conform to One Nation's version of an Australian monoculture.' He added: 'And it means we stand up and defend Australian families of the Islamic faith when a political leader declares that there are ‘No good Muslims’.'
Polling and Warning Against Complacency
According to a Resolve poll in the Sydney Morning Herald in May, Labor's primary vote was at 32%, the Coalition on 26%, and One Nation on 22%. Minns warned against complacency: 'Now I know based on my 29 years in the Labor party you already believe we're going to win. But the truth is – with politics changing so quickly, we need to climb Everest just to stay where we are.' He added: 'This campaign will throw everything at us, we're up against many parties, not a single opposition. And it will test us like never before.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is scheduled to address the conference on Sunday.
