(en) Australia - Proposed Anarchist Federation Constitution -
Draft by Jura Books, May 2015
Below is a draft of the proposed constitution for the Anarchist Federation Australia,
drafted and approved by the Jura Collective in May 2015, based on earlier versions
prepared by Melbourne Anarchist Club with input from other anarchist groups. ----
Background ---- To give some background and context, here is a summary of the current
federation process, to the best of our knowledge. It's based on a few different accounts,
leading up to May 2015. ---- In 2007, some members of the Mutiny Collective called for
expressions of interest in holding a conference to discuss the idea of an anarchist
federation in Australia and/or NZ. In response to this initiative, the Melbourne Anarchist
Club (MAC) organised a conference held during Easter 2008. About 60 people from across
Australia attended and a broad range of views were expressed from opposition to
enthusiasm. There were no delegates as such and each participant attended as an individual.
While there were some differences in attitude to federation there was a significant amount
of common ground. Following on from this, MAC decided in March 2013 to hold the Towards
Federation Anarchist Conference in June 2013. It was proposed to invite groups (as opposed
to individuals, although individuals were encouraged to attend as observers). A proposed
constitution was presented for discussion and about 30 people attended including delegates
from MAC, Libertarian Workers for a Self-managed Society (LWSS), and Melbourne Anarchist
Communist Group (MACG). There were also observers from Anarchist Affinity and Jura. In
January 2014, a follow up conference was held at Jura at which delegates from MAC, MACG
and Jura attended (and an observer from a Canberra anarchist group). The draft
constitution was discussed and suggestions for amending it were made. People from Jura
agreed to do another re-draft of the proposed constitution.
In May 2015, Jura completed a re-draft of the constitution, which is now being circulated.
Jura and MAC aim to have a meeting re the federation in June 2015. There will also be an
open workshop about federation at the Sydney Anarchist Bookfair, on Saturday 13th June.
Over the last few years, there has also been a fair bit of online discussion about the
federation, for example on Libcom and Facebook.
As we understand it, Jura, MAC and MACG are keen to form a federation this year, on the
basis of the constitution we've been discussing and drafting and redrafting over the last
few years. We would welcome other anarchist groups joining this federation if they agree
with this constitution. However, we do not want to go back to stage one of the drafting
process. (Although of course the constitution will be open to revision by the federation
in the future.) We also intend for the federation to develop a 'Statement of Shared
Positions' and a program of activities/projects, in the near future, which will give it
more form and substance.
Groups that have been contacted about the federation at some point since March 2013:
AFA Perth - A meeting of of anarchists in Perth was held on 12 September 2014 and a
decision was made to form a group with a view to federating in accordance with the
proposed constitution (Jan 2014 version).
Anarchist Affinity (Melbourne) - Declined to send a delegate but did send an observer to
the 2013 conference, a statement was made stating that while Anarchist Affinity supported
the idea in principle, they were not ready to proceed and indicated that they would take
no further part at this stage.
BAG (Brisbane) - Agreed to proceed on the basis of the proposed constitution in April
2013. Subsequently re-affirmed in January 2014.
Black Flag (Western Sydney) - Contacted in person by Jura people in 2015. Current position
on the federation unknown.
Black Rose (Sydney) - Was initially contacted through what came to be discovered a defunct
email account. Was contacted again in person by Jura people in 2014. Held a meeting to
discuss the federation. Current position on the federation unknown.
Black Swan (Adelaide) - Has been sent the proposed constitution but no follow-up to date.
Current position on the federation unknown.
Brisbane Solidarity Network - Has been sent the proposed constitution but no follow-up to
date. Current position on the federation unknown.
Byron Bay Anarchists - Requested a copy of proposed constitution in 2014 but no response
since. MAC unable to independently confirm the existence of the group.
Grupo de Melbourne - This is a group of the remaining Spanish exiles. A member came to MAC
to express disappointment that they had not been invited to participate. Subsequently sent
the January 2014 version of the proposed constitution by MAC. Discussed the proposed
constitution over a weekend in May 2014 to develop a submission. Currently awaiting an
English translation.
Jura (Sydney) - Had an observer participate in the June 2013 conference and hosted the
January 2014 conference at which the proposed constitution was discussed. Discussed,
amended and agreed on the May 2015 draft of the constitution. Jura is hosting a meeting of
the federation (possibly the inaugral conference?) in June 2015.
Libertarian Workers for a Self-managed Society (Melbourne) - LWSS sent a submission and a
delegate to June 2013 conference. Some of the LWSS submission was incorporated into the
current proposed constitution. Since then, there has been no follow-up contact with LWSS.
Current position on the federation unknown.
Melbourne Anarchist Club - Initiators of the current project to found an anarchist
federation. Is in agreement with the January 2014 version of the proposed constitution on
the proviso that there are at least three groups from at least two cities/locations and
that the proposed federation be provisional for a period of 12 months to be subsequently
confirmed or not. MAC is currently considering the May 2015 version of the proposed
constitution.
Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group - Sent two delegates to June 2013 Conference and
January 2014 conference. The MACG have expressed support and a desire to have the
principles of 'the platform' incorporated into the constitution. Has participated in two
joint meetings with the MAC to discuss the proposed constitution and have proposed some
additions and modifications which were incorporated into the proposed constitution that
was presented to the January 2014 conference.
Link to the Proposed Constitution
http://www.jura.org.au/files/jura/AFA%20Draft%20Constitution%20-%202%20May%202015%20version.pdf
Anarchist Federation Australia Proposed Constitution
2 May 2015 Draft, prepared and approved by the Jura Books Collective
AIMS
Creation of an Anarchist Society
"Freedom without socialism is privilege and injustice; socialism without freedom is
slavery and brutality." ~ Mikhail Bakunin.
The ideal social and economic system, one that is consistent with the principles of
liberty, equality and solidarity, is anarchism or libertarian communism. By this,
anarchists mean the common ownership of the means of production and the free association
of producers.
The implementation of anarchism can only be through the free federation of productive
and communal organisations.
Abolition of the State
"The state is a condition, a certain relationship between human beings, a mode of
human behaviour; we destroy it by contracting other relationships, by behaving
differently." ~ Gustav Landauer.
Anarchists regard the State as an oppressive institution, the abolition of which is
necessary to human liberation. The destruction of the State is a collective responsibility
which will be achieved through social revolution.
Social Revolution
"The working class and the employing class have nothing in common. There can
be no peace so long as hunger and want are found among millions of working
people and the few, who make up the employing class, have all the good things of
life. Between these two classes a struggle must go on until the workers of the world
organise as a class, take possession of the means of production, abolish the wage
system, and live in harmony with the Earth." ~ Preamble to the IWW Constitution
Anarchists are working towards a social revolution in which the billions of working people
take possession of the means of production, abolish capitalism and the State, and live in
harmony with the Earth.
PRINCIPLES
Anarchism
The word anarchy is from the Greek, and literally means the absence of rulers. Anarchism
is both a political philosophy and a social movement. As a social movement, anarchism
aims to create a classless, non-hierarchical society. As a political philosophy, anarchism
maintains that the creation of such a society is both possible and desirable. Anarchists
are those who actively work towards realising this possibility.
Liberty
The concept of individual human freedom lies at the heart of anarchist philosophy. As
such, anarchists seek to maximise the ability of individuals to live freely - in the
absence of the constraints, oppressions and terrors imposed by authority. Anarchists
oppose all forms of domination and exploitation. This includes, but is not limited to,
oppression based on class, gender (both trans and cis), race, ethnicity, colonialism,
sexuality, appearance and ability. Capitalism and the State also threaten the entire
planet through war and the destruction of the environment. Through both individual and
collective struggle, anarchists work to overthrow the social structures based on these
oppressive practices.
Equality
The anarchist concept of freedom is intrinsically linked to the notion of equality. That
is, anarchists maintain that individuals are most free in a society in which there is
economic, political and social equality. This society must be based on the principle: From
each according to their ability; to each according to their need.
Solidarity
Anarchists believe that an injury to one is an injury to all. Anarchists oppose the false
notion of survival of the fittest as a social principle, and believe that human survival
and social development can best be secured through co-operation among individuals and
groups to their mutual benefit. This is the principle of mutual aid.
Direct Action
Anarchists assert that the emancipation of the working class must be the work of the
workers themselves. An anarchist society can only be achieved through direct action; that
is, through forms of social struggle unmediated by political authorities such as
governments, political parties, bureaucratic trade unions, etc. Similarly, anarchists
support the right of all oppressed people to organise autonomously and lead their own
struggles.
Direct Democracy
Anarchists advocate the creation of directly democratic forms of social organisation, in
which individual members have an equal right to take part in decision-making processes.
As such, anarchists oppose forms of representative democracy, and agitate for their
replacement by directly democratic ones.
Federation
Anarchists advocate the establishment of voluntary, non-hierarchical associations
between directly democratic organisations. By the same token, anarchists also maintain
the right of members of federated bodies to leave such associations, if and when they
deem them to be contrary to their interests.
Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
Anarchists in Australia acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the
Traditional Custodians of the land we live on. We pay our respect to Elders past, present
and future. We support the ongoing struggle of Indigenous Peoples for land rights,
selfdetermination, and justice.
STATUTES
1. NAME
This organisation shall be known as the Anarchist Federation Australia.
2. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ORGANISATION
(a) The Anarchist Federation Australia (AFA) is a federation of Affiliates organised
as autonomous groups.
(b) All Affiliates shall be know by a name of their own choice.
(c) All Affiliates have full freedom to initiate actions in their own name.
(d) The decisions of Affiliates are made by Affiliate members, meeting in the duly
constituted assembly of their Affiliate, using a process determined by that Affiliate.
(e) No Delegated Limited Mandate Offices are to have any executive powers. All
Delegated Limited Mandate Offices are to be elected and recallable at any time.
The maximum term of tenure for all Delegated Limited Mandate Offices shall be
two years, with the possibility of a second consecutive term of two years.
3. STRUCTURE
3.1 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
(a) Membership of AFA Affiliates shall be open to individual persons who agree with
the AFA Aims and Principles, and who meet the other requirements for membership
determined by that Affiliate.
(b) All individual members shall have an equal voice and an equal part in decisionmaking
within the Affiliate of which they are a member.
3.2 AFFILIATES
(a) Individual persons are expected to organise themselves into Affiliates based on
locality or affinity. These Affiliates are the main ongoing forum for debates and the
major focus for agitation. In general, no individual person should be a member of
more than one Affiliate. If this situation arises in existing Affiliates, the respective
Affiliates must notify the AFA Secretariat, who may notify AFA Congress if there is a
concern for the proper functioning of the AFA. AFA Congress may request that two
groups operate as one AFA Affiliate, for AFA purposes, if they share a high
proportion of individual members. Congress may also take into account shared
members when deciding whether or not to accept new AFA Affiliates.
(b) Affiliates must meet the following conditions for AFA membership:
i) Affiliates must contain at least three individual persons as members.
ii) Affiliates must meet in assembly regularly, at least once every two
months.
iii) Affiliates must make available permanent and public postal and email
addresses.
iv) Affiliates agree to pay AFA Affiliate dues on an annual basis.
(c) If an Affiliate fails to meet any of the above conditions, its membership of the
AFA will be suspended. If, within 12 months, all conditions are still not met, the
Affiliate's membership of the AFA will lapse. Any AFA supplies or funds entrusted to
the Affiliate, must be returned to the Secretariat.
(d) Affiliate dues shall be set by each AFA Congress.
(e) To be accepted as an AFA Affiliate, a group must be sponsored by another
Affiliate on a provisional basis for at least 12 months. The Provisional Affiliate must
then be accepted unanimously by an AFA Congress, in order to become an AFA
Affiliate. This requirement to be sponsored will come into effect immediately after
the first AFA Congress, and as such will not apply to the founding Affiliates who
make up the first Congress.
(f) All Affiliates shall receive the help and support of the AFA in times of hardship
and trouble, to the extent permitted by the circumstances and resources of the
AFA.
(g) Affiliates who choose to leave the AFA are asked to notify the AFA Secretariat.
3.3 REGIONAL FEDERATIONS
(a) Affiliates may form Regional Federations of the AFA with other Affiliates of the
AFA in their region.
(b) Regional Federations of the AFA will determine their own structure, meeting
times, activities and tasks, delegation processes and finances.
(c) AFA Congress will decide on the nature of the relationship between the AFA and
any AFA Regional Federations.
3.4 INDIVIDUAL OBSERVERS
(a) Individual persons who agree with the AFA Aims and Principles, but are not
members of an Affiliate, may apply to the Secretariat or Congress for Observer
status.
(b) Observers have the right to participate in the internal discussions of the AFA,
including Congresses and Conferences, but have no vote. Observers are also
authorised to distribute the literature of the AFA on its behalf.
(c) The AFA is not obliged to accept applications for Observer status. An applicant
for Observer status who has previously been a member of an Affiliate will be asked
to show cause why the application should be accepted. An applicant for Observer
status who can conveniently belong to an existing Affiliate will be asked to show
cause why they have not joined that Affiliate. Decisions of the AFA Secretariat to
accept or reject an application can be appealed to the AFA Congress.
4. DELEGATED LIMITED MANDATE OFFICES
4.1 AFA SECRETARIAT
(a) Each AFA Congress will elect an Affiliate to be responsible for the function of
AFA Secretariat, whose term shall run until the next Congress.
(b) The AFA Secretariat may at any time be recalled by an Extraordinary Congress.
Such a recall may only be based upon a proven breach of duties as mandated by
the AFA Statutes and Congress.
(c) In the event of an Affiliate being unable, for whatever reason, to carry out the
functions and duties of the AFA Secretariat, a replacement may be appointed on a
provisional basis by an Extraordinary Congress.
(d) The duties of the AFA Secretariat shall include:
i) Responsibility for the general AFA finances and to issue a yearly financial
report.
ii) Co-ordination of communication between all AFA affiliates.
iii) Responsibility for maintaining close contacts with all the overseas
organisations with which the AFA has friendly relations.
iv) Maintenance of the AFA website.
v) Dispatch of special AFA communiques to overseas addresses as
required.
vi) The payment of international dues.
4.2 AFFILIATE SECRETARY
(a) Each Affiliate shall elect an Affiliate Secretary, and notify the AFA Secretariat of
that person's name.
(b) The duties of the Affiliate Secretary shall include:
i) AFA correspondence. The Affiliate Secretary will collect, table in a duly
constituted assembly, answer and file (as appropriate) all mail relating to
the AFA (electronic or otherwise).
ii) Payment of Affiliate dues. The Affiliate Secretary will ensure that Affiliate
dues are paid to the AFA Secretariat as required.
5. FINANCES
(a) All AFA Affiliates shall pay annual dues. The dues rate will be set by each AFA
Congress. Each Affiliate shall determine for themselves the amount (if any) of dues
required from their individual members.
(b) The AFA Congress shall decide on the proportional allocation of all funds
collected for the forthcoming period. Financial reports on all money collected and
its allocation will be the responsibility of the AFA Secretariat.
6. DECISION-MAKING
6.1 LOCAL
(a) Affiliates make decisions in their own name by methods of their own choosing.
6.2 CONGRESS
(b) The AFA Congress has responsibility for accepting new Affiliates; electing the
Affiliate responsible for the AFA Secretariat; setting dues rates; initiating AFA
publications; making amendments to the AFA Constitution; and other business as
determined by the Congress.
(c) Agenda items shall be proposed by Affiliates at least three months in advance of
Congress. Late agenda items to be dealt with in the order received, time allowing.
(d) Agendas, Congress materials, Reports and other relevant information shall be
circulated to all Affiliates by the AFA Secretariat at least six weeks prior to the
Congress.
(e) Delegates to the AFA Congress must have written authorisation of their
Delegate status from their Affiliate Secretary. The AFA Secretariat has the
responsibility to confirm the identity and status of Delegates to Congress. In
situations where people attending Congress have no written Delegate
authorisation, the AFA Secretariat may take reasonable steps to ascertain their
status and may decide to give them Delegate or Observer status, or to deny them
entry.
(f) Quorum for Congress requires the presence of Delegates from at least three
different Affiliates, or from at least half the total number of Affiliates, whichever
number is greater.
(g) Congress is open to all members of AFA Affiliates and accredited Observers.
Only Congress Delegates from Affiliates may speak on behalf of those Affiliates.
(h) Congress proceeds according to the order in which items appear on the agenda
with the first item being applications of Provisional Affiliates. This procedure will be
altered only if there is an urgent matter which requires consideration or action by
Congress and a motion to alter the agenda is agreed to by a majority of mandated
Affiliate Delegates.
(i) AFA Congress shall attempt to make decisions by consensus. When decisions
cannot be made by consensus a Resolution Group shall be chosen by Congress.
The Resolution Group shall consist of at least three Delegates, from at least two
different Affiliates. The Resolution Group shall also include representatives of
different perspectives on the issue in question. The Resolution Group shall draw up
a synthesis of the various positions for further discussion by the current Congress.
The period of time given to the Resolution Group for this task will be specified by
Congress.
(j) If consensus on the synthesis cannot be achieved, resolution shall be reached
by simple majority vote on the basis of one vote per Affiliate.
(k) Each Congress shall set the date and place for the next Congress.
(l) All decisions and the full wording of resolutions to appear in the AFA Congress
Report to be distributed by the AFA Secretariat to all Affiliates.
(m) All decisions to be ratified by Affiliates in duly constituted meetings of their
assemblies. Ratification is a recognition that correct procedure has been followed.
(n) AFA Affiliates are expected to abide by the decisions of AFA Congress. This
demonstrates a commitment to organisation, solidarity, and collective responsibility.
6.3 EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS
(a) If a decision, due to extenuating circumstances, must be made as quickly as
possible, an Extraordinary Congress can be held.
(b) An Extraordinary Congress shall be called by the AFA Secretariat if requested
by no less than three Affiliates.
(c) An Extraordinary Congress is to be convened at the earliest possible
opportunity after all Affiliates have been informed of the issue, enabling them to call
emergency meetings and choose Delegates.
(d) Extraordinary Congress decision-making process and quorum will be the same
as Congress.
6.4 DECISIONS BETWEEN CONGRESSES
(a) If a decision needs to be made between Congresses and does not require an
Extraordinary Congress the following procedure applies:
i) Affiliates send a dated proposal and reasons to the AFA Secretariat.
ii) The AFA Secretariat sends the proposal and reasons to all other Affiliates
and issues a report.
iii) The Affiliates must answer within one month of receiving the proposal.
iv) The proposal is only accepted if all responding Affiliates agree. No
response implies abstention.
7. CONFERENCES
(a) An AFA Conference is a non-decision-making event and can be called by any
AFA Affiliate.
(b) Conferences are open to all members of AFA Affiliates and accredited
Observers.
(c) Conferences can pass resolutions that are recommendations to Congress.
(d) Conferences shall be self-regulating regarding resolutions, structure, length of
sessions and scope.
8. PUBLICATIONS
(a) The AFA shall maintain a website. The AFA Secretariat shall be responsible for
its maintenance.
(b) The AFA Secretariat may use the name 'Anarchist Federation Australia', the
AFA letterhead, logo and other symbols in publications. The AFA Secretariat is
expected to use the name, logo and other symbols in keeping with the wishes of
the the AFA as a whole, as articulated by the AFA Congress.
(c) AFA Affiliates may issue in their own name papers, pamphlets, websites and
any other publications. Affiliates may use words or symbols to indicate that they are
AFA Affiliates, however Affiliates are expected to make it clear through the design
of these materials, that they don't represent the AFA as a whole.
(d) All publications shall clearly state who they are published by.
9. DISAFFILIATION & AFFILIATE RESPONSIBILITY
(a) Affiliates shall be responsible for the behaviour and conduct of their individual
members with regard to AFA matters as described in the Constitution.
(b) Affiliates maintain the right and responsibility to expel individual members found
contravening the Constitution of the AFA, or contravening other requirements for
membership, as determined by that Affiliate.
(c) Affiliates must keep a record of the reasons for expulsion of any individual
members, in the minutes of a duly constituted assembly.
(d) An Affiliate which fails to meet the conditions for AFA membership listed in
3.2(b) above, will have its membership of the AFA suspended as described in
3.2(c) above.
(e) Affiliates can only be disaffiliated by an AFA Congress decision that they have
contravened the AFA Constitution.
(f) Individual members of Affiliates that have been disaffiliated may transfer their
membership to another Affiliate, if they meet the requirements for membership as
determined by that Affiliate.
10. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The first AFA Secretariat will prepare a review of options for international affiliation and
report to the second AFA Congress with a recommendation.
11. REVEIW OF THIS CONSTITUTION
This Constitution will be reviewed at the second, third and fourth AFA Congresses.
Decisions about changes to this Constitution will follow the process as described in 6.2(i)
and 6.2(j) above. Thereafter, the Constitution will be reviewed as required..
http://www.jura.org.au/node/2574
