The NSW Labor Party held its conference at the weekend and I was there as a business observer.  What was striking at these always well run events (they don’t call the ALP head office ‘the machine’ for nothing) is how few business observers turned up this year.  Perhaps it was due to the local media campaigns linking large business groups (mostly property developers and the gang known as ‘pubs and clubs’ ) hefty donations to the ALP and political decisions made in their favour.  Or maybe some business people have given up trying to talk to this government?

Those of us attempting serious discussions with ministers and their minders (there was a sprinkling of the brand new federal ministers available for us to talk to as well) could not be unaware of the political intrigue on the conference floor and just about every nook and cranny in the enormous Sydney Convention Centre.  One poor business colleague had about three goes at talking to a key NSW minister, but was continually interrupted by the politician’s more pressing matters; doing the numbers.

It was all about the Premier’s plans to sell-off the State's electricity assets, much as his colleagues in a number of other Australian states have already achieved.  We all know that he lost that debate by more than 600 votes, but has vowed to do it anyway and defy his Party’s policy.  That’s a great showdown for us political junkies.  History buffs are also getting into it and diving back into the archives for the last time an ALP leader defied his party. 

The problem for the ALP is that not all business observers fall into the junkie category.  Most were appalled at scenes usually reserved for pub fights or Rugby League games.  The mainstream media has reported it well, with photographs of the unfortunate-looking Treasurer appearing quite mad.  Well, he was angry.  But the rich colour that is democracy at work troubled some of my business colleagues.  Indeed, some were clearly bewildered by it all such that it might make the Machine wonder whether it is really is a good strategy to let their dirty linen be so publicly washed.