Caucus Rules

National Rules:

  1. The name of the faction is the ‘Communist Caucus’.
  2. Membership to the caucus is conditioned on an active membership to the Australian Socialist Party1 (through any of its state branches) acceptance of the caucus’s Mission Statement, and adherence to its Rules. (this document)
  3. The caucus are divided into branches, organised by local caucus members. Branches shall be recognised either by the National Steering Committee or by an All-Caucus Meeting.
  4. Branches shall direct the operations of caucus members within their particular jurisdiction, and shall elect their own Branch Steering Committee. The recognition of these steering committees and branches (and therefore recognition of their authority on issues such as local statements and expulsion of local members) shall be conditioned on their adherence to the principle of “one person - one vote”.
  5. The general body of the caucus is an All-Caucus Conference, which is convened either by the National Steering Committee (NSC) or a petition of ⅓ of the membership of the caucus. After the announcement of a conference, at least 14 days notice must be given to the membership before the conference is held. Standing Orders and procedures are to be adopted at the discretion of the NSC. The All-Caucus Conference shall be the only body empowered to make changes to the Rules and the Mission Statement.
  6. Between All-Caucus Conferences, caucus affairs are entrusted to the National Steering Committee, elected during a conference, and recallable by a one third vote of members. Election of the NSC shall be held through a Single Transferable Vote system, in the case of a single-seat vacancy, a replacement may be elected online through Ranked Preferential Voting
  7. The Branch and National Steering Committees are empowered to organise meetings, to issue statements and pamphlets; and are responsible for maintaining an up-to-date list of the membership of the caucus.
  8. Comrades who exhibit sexism, racism or other bigotries, or act in an uncomradely manner or against the Mission Statement of the caucus may be expelled by a unanimous vote of the local or national Steering Committee or by a simple majority in a general meeting.
  9. Comrades who are expelled have the right to appeal their expulsion to a higher body, including and up to the All-Caucus Conference.