Labor Conference to Discuss Gas Tax, Gambling, and AI

The conference starts on Wednesday, 22 Jul 2026, at 4:50am

It continues on Wednesday, 22 Jul 2026, at 9:28am

Anthony Albanese faces pressure to create a national gambling regulator

In short:

Labor's conference will debate gambling reform and a stronger national regulator

Members and unions will also discuss a gas tax, AI, and local government funding

What's next?

Delegates will vote on amendments to the party's policy platform in Adelaide

Labor members want a stronger gambling regulator, but the government's changes may not be enough

There will be fights over gambling harm reduction, a gas export tax, and AI impacts

Party powerbrokers and unions are discussing issues like dental access and aviation oversight

Labor sources say efforts are underway to progress amendments to the draft national platform on gambling

There will be ongoing debate about artificial intelligence at the conference

Conversations are continuing about regulating the sector, possibly through a national body

Advocates argue that Australia's state-based system has produced inconsistent rules and weak enforcement

A Labor source says support for action on gambling is very cross-factional

But they say it's significant to have gambling harms included in the draft policy platform

Labor members will be targeted by digital ads calling for a full ban on gambling advertising

Kate Chaney raised funds for the anti-gambling ad campaign

Ms Chaney accused Mr Albanese of having stitched up the Labor Party's processes

She says the conference will be a scripted performance, not a real debate

The conference has been criticized for being overly managed, with blame levelled at Mr Albanese

Defenders argue that the policy negotiation process has improved, resulting in more quality policy

Kate Chaney has accused Anthony Albanese of having stitched up the Labor Party's processes

A Labor source says the policy forum is resulting in more quality policy

Gas tax fight is on the horizon

The latest draft platform includes a pledge to ensure a fairer return from natural resources

Mr Albanese rejected reports that the wording left the door open to a tax on gas exports

He said the resolution does not say that

Expectation is mounting that the government will face pressure on the gas tax issue

One Labor source says an attempt to gather support for a gas tax amendment has been stifled

Gas giants are breathing a sigh of relief after Mr Albanese ruled out a 25 per cent tax on exports

But there may be a lot of delegates who back a gas tax amendment

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten backed a gas tax on future contracts

He says the time has arrived to consider reviewing the taxation on gas

There's a national appetite for a gas tax

The Maritime Union of Australia will join the campaign for a gas tax

Negotiators will not get exactly what they want

A push to remove the rule requiring under-18s to work more than 30 hours a week before receiving compulsory super is expected

The Transport Workers' Union wants to establish a safe and secure skies commission

One Labor source says the TWU may not get exactly what they want, but broad agreement is possible

PAWS Darwin owes more than $150k in superannuation to its staff

There is residual anger against Qantas that the union has capitalised on

Several party insiders expect a battle on local government funding

Councillors want funding lifted to 1 per cent of Commonwealth revenue

It's actually on track to be a fight on the floor

Expanding Medicare access to dental is expected to be managed on the sidelines

It's always an admirable idea, but how do you pay for it?

PM's speech is not the last word on AI

Labor figures are preparing for last-minute disagreements on AI and its workforce impacts

The party's draft platform pledges to hold AI companies accountable to Australian values and laws

The draft calls for workers to be meaningfully consulted on workplace change, like the use of AI and automation

Further amendments and discussion are expected before a final vote on the platform

Interested delegates can lodge potential amendments up to the day before each policy area is debated

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