The prime minister will promise Labor’s national conference can lead to meaningful change, while announcing an expansion of paid practical placements for students.
Anthony Albanese will kick off the three-day conference on Thursday, with thousands of the party faithful converging on Adelaide to determine Labor’s policies and position on key issues.
In an address to party members, Mr Albanese will announce payments of $338.60 a week to students doing practical placements will include 10 more areas of study in health professions.
From July 2027, the payments will be extended for physiotherapy, clinical psychology, speech pathology, paramedics, audiology, pharmacy and podiatry.
Previously, the payments were only available to those studying to be nurses and midwives, teachers and social workers.
“We are investing right across our world-class health system, and we are backing the extraordinary people who work in it,” the prime minister will tell the conference.
“This is one of those reforms where it is hard to believe that it didn’t already exist.”
While the 50th Labor conference is not expected to be confrontational, several policy issues will be on the agenda for debate.
Rank and file members have called for more gambling reform and there is a push for a tax to be introduced on gas exports.
While the conference will agree on party positions, it will be up to Labor’s parliamentary team to determine how, and when, the measures are implemented.
Mr Albanese said Labor was facing global challenges, but problem solving needed to be implemented outside the triennial party forum.
“We all know the the meaning of real change is beyond these walls and outside the political debate,” he will say.
“That is how we demonstrate to Australians that their hard work will pay off, that their effort is worth it, that they can plan and build for their future.
“It is how we prove that the status quo is not set in stone, that problems can be solved.”
The conference comes as right-wing parties such as One Nation have been rising in the polls, at the expense of support for major parties.
But the prime minister said frustrations voters had with the political system needed to be listened to and followed up.
“People’s genuine frustrations deserve a practical response, not just an emotional one,” he will say.
“You can go a long way in politics, for a long time, by raging against a system that you are part of, without a plan to fix it … that doesn’t build anything.
“It doesn’t take our country forward. It doesn’t help anyone find a job, pay their bills or put a roof over their head.”
Debate on day one of the conference will centre on economic issues, led by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, followed by energy and climate issues, headed up by Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
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