Labor's theme for this conference is "Advance Australia". The aim is to link jobs, productivity and economic issues together in a coherent narrative designed to win the next election.
But the Liberal Party government is in its first term, so defeating Prime Minister Tony Abbott is still a great challenge for the ALP.
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Opposition leader Bill Shorten told delegates in his opening speech that he hoped to make the Abbott government a one-term government.
"Australians deserve better than a prime minister who wants to make them afraid of the future,” he said. “I know three hasn't been a one-term federal government in Australia for more than 80 years but it's time there was.
“Usually, with their ingrained sense of fairness, Australians give a government a second go. But - just like in Queensland, just like in Victoria - one term is enough.”
“Australia can't afford another round of cuts and chaos,” he told delegates. “We can't afford the destination the Liberals have in mind.”
There were 400 delegates, one leader and on-the-surface adulation for Bill Shorten at the Labor Party National Conference but the party enters this conference divided over asylum policy.
Bill Shorten speaks at the 2015 ALP National Conference. (AAP) Source: AAP
A vote is due tomorrow after Bill Shorten announced he supported the government's turn-back-the-boats policy.
Anthony Albanese has gone public with his concerns. Speaking as he entered the conference, he said policies need to be fair.
"You can be tough on people smuggler without being weak on humanity,” he said. “I want to see a policy that ensures that we remain tough on people smugglers but that we have humanitarian outcomes."
"We a need regional solution so people know they do not have to risk their lives."
Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen said he supported the leader.
“At the end of the day I expect Bill's position to be supported on the floor because it is the right position,” he said.
“I want to see a policy that ensures that we remain tough on people smugglers but that we have humanitarian outcomes."
But tensions were running high. An information forum at the conference hosted by Labor for refugees was packed. It heard from David Manne of the Immigration and Refugee Legal Centre who made a plea for Labor not to go down this path.
"Turn-back policies such as the ones seen in this country are a grave risk of violating legal, practical and moral obligations to people coming to our country seeking protection from persecution" he told SBS after his address.
Bill Shorten’s speech to the national conference was heartfelt but made no mention of overall asylum policy or the issue of turning back the boats. He committed Labor to an emissions trading scheme and said he wasn't afraid to fight an election on that issue.
"An ETS is not a tax” he said.
"If Mr Abbott wants to make the next election a contest about who has the best policy solution for climate change I've got a three-word slogan for him: ‘Bring it on!'”
There were modest protests outside over the China-Australia FTA and fears of local job losses and a resolution inside backing Labor to fight for changes to the FTA with China.
Shadow Trade Minister Penny Wong said the trade deal as negotiated doesn't protect Australian jobs. "We should have greater support for Australian workers" she said, indicating that Labor wouldn't block the deal but would move amendments when it comes to Parliament.
The conference continues over the weekend.
The vote on turn-backs is expected tomorrow.
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