Meet the ‘faceless men’ (and women) who run Labor

by · Australian Financial Review

Ronald MizenPolitical correspondent
Jul 22, 2026 – 12.00pm

For most of his political career, Anthony Albanese has been a minority voice within the Labor Party. A leading light of the NSW Left faction, the prime minister was an outspoken activist for progressive ideals butting up against the brutal machine pragmatism of the dominant Right faction.

But when he takes to the stage to deliver his opening speech at Labor’s 50th Annual Conference in Adelaide on Thursday morning, he will speak to a room firmly under his command and control.

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Ronald MizenPolitical correspondentRonald Mizen is the Financial Review’s political correspondent, reporting from the press gallery at Parliament House, Canberra. Connect with Ronald on Twitter. Email Ronald at ronald.mizen@afr.com

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