Fed: Policies more than reform will get Labor into power: Walsh

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Fed: Policies more than reform will get Labor into power: Walsh

CANBERRA, Aug 11 AAP - New policies put out well ahead of the next federal electionwould do more for the ALP's bid to win government than its internal reforms, the party'snational secretary said today.

Geoff Walsh said the reforms were an important part to overhauling the party and ensuringit got the best possible candidates.

But voters were looking for policies and these would be instrumental in winning oversupport at the next election.

An internal review headed by former prime minister Bob Hawke and former NSW premierNeville Wran has called for a series of changes to the party's internal structure.

They include reducing union power at the party's national conference and increasingthe role of Labor leaders in the selection of candidates.

Mr Walsh said while these changes were vital in modernising the party, policies wouldwin over voters.

"No one's arguing that the reform of the Labor Party in itself is going to lead topeople to rush to the ballot box to support us," he told the Seven Network.

"What will win people across to us is the quality of the policies we put together andthe quality of the team we put forward."

Mr Walsh said the party would release its policies, which are now under review, wellahead of the next poll.

"I think everyone accepts that we will see more policy in the period ahead of the electionand perhaps an opportunity to get that out and to push the Labor view over a longer view,"

he said.

Mr Walsh played down concerns that the party's NSW Right would block some of the package'smore contentious proposals such as the reduction in union representation at national conference.

He said the NSW branch recognised the importance of change if Labor was to win government.

"The NSW branch has always been a part of the party that plays its politics hard, butit's also a part of the party that has always had a very strong commitment to wanting(to) see us in the best shape always at all levels of the party," he said.

"They are about success and they will want to be part of this, I'm certain."

AAP sw/cdh/br

KEYWORD: ALP WALSH