Factions, power and Daniel Andrews: Victorian Labor prepares for its first state conference in three years

They used to be the setting of some of the party’s most dramatic spats. But the biggest realignment of factional power has occurred behind close doors

• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

It’s November 2019. Tones and I’s Dance Monkey has been on the top of the charts for so long, you’d be forgiven for thinking its actually crawled into your ear and started gnawing on your brain. Richmond are the reigning AFL premiers (again), Covid-19 is yet to exist and the Victorian Labor party is gathering for its annual state conference.

There are some factional tensions on show – members of the CFMEU and other left-wing unions walk out of the new Labor deputy leader Richard Marles’ speech – though it is largely a stage-managed affair that garnered few headlines.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup