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New England Labour Party

The Labour Party of New England (founded as the Labor Party) was a small trade unionist party in New England from independence until it merged with the United Party of New England and the Social Democratic Party in 2025 to form the Social Democratic Labour Party.

The party was founded by the remaining branches of the Australian Labor Party in 2012 in an attempt to continue support for the traditional Australian labour union movement. However, the support by many working people had drifted to the National Party and the United Party in the years leading up to New England's independence.

The party did enjoy moderate success, and was the smallest of the left wing parties until it passed United in the 2024 election. In was in coalition government from 2012 - 2015 and 2020 - 2024. In late 2024 after a humiliating electoral defeat, the party agreed to merge with the Social Democrats and United.

• Policy
• Party Leaders

Policy

Throughout it's existence, the Labour Party believed that government is generally a positive force in the community and that it is the responsibility of governments to intervene in the operation of the economy and society to improve outcomes. The party sought to ensure that all members of New England's fledgling society received a basic income in order to have an opportunity to contribute to the building of a new nation. The party was moderately in support of the free market stance taken by it's mother party in Australia, but as time went by, this position was weakened.

With little support outside the academic community and union movement, the party had little base support to build upon, and many criticised the party as being no different to the Social Democrats or United Party . It's policies on the economy and taxation were often confusing, ambiguous and contradictory. The party drew heavy criticism when it campaigned in 2019 on the abolition of the Goods and Services Tax and introduction of a higher rate of income tax.

The party supported multiculturalism and generally is more likely to approve of higher immigration levels than the Coalition. It supported issues that affected Aboriginals such as land rights and supports a formal apology on the issue of the stolen generation, which was issued by the government in 2015. Labour supported additional equal rights legislation for minorities, and was instrumental in the wording of the Charter of Rights. As expected, the party always took a pro-choice position on abortion and euthanasia.

Labour was also a supporter of integration with Asia, and opposed attempts by the National Party to integrate New England into the European alliance. This position was eroded by the continuing threat of an Australian attack in the 2020's, and the reluctance of China or any other Asian power to intervene and risk provocation of the United States.

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Party Leaders

Labour had just three leaders in it's short history, and it was the first party in New England to have a woman as leader.

• Helen Adams (2012 - 2016)
• Ivan Nelson (2016 - 2019)
• Alex McDowell (2019 - 2024)

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