A push by unions and climate activists to force Labor to take stronger action on social and environmental policy has largely fizzled out as heads turn towards a fight over nuclear submarines.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used the first day of the party's national conference in Brisbane to reveal Labor's national scheme to help up to 40,000 families buy a home over four years will start in the first half of 2024.
The government will provide an equity contribution to eligible participants of up to 40 per cent for new homes and 30 per cent for existing homes.
The powerful mining and manufacturing union wanted the government to go further on social housing and introduce a super profits tax to pay for more supply.
CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith joined about 1000 protesters outside the conference, telling the crowd the union's demand was clear - to leverage $290 billion over a decade from Australia's largest companies.
But the motion that came to the floor only called for Labor to "increase government investment in social and affordable housing with funding from a progressive and sustainable tax system, including corporate tax reform".
Mr Smith told the conference while the amendment wasn't everything the union demanded, it was an important first step as it recognised the need to reform corporate tax laws.
Labor also faced a push from its left flank to stop native logging and put in place more stringent methane emissions reduction targets for the agriculture sector.
The influential Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN) initially wanted to amend the policy platform but moved a watered-down motion.
The party resolved to rewrite its 1992 forestry policy, expand plantation estates to meet the demand for sustainably sourced wood and develop an industry plan to grow jobs in the sector.
But eyes have turned to Friday's foreign policy debate where the government is facing a sustained push from dissidents and some unions to scrap mentions of AUKUS and nuclear submarines from its policy platform.
Defence Minister Richard Marles will move to introduce a statement on the Australia-UK-US pact into the policy platform but some delegates want to use the debate to accuse Labor of abandoning its traditional anti-nuclear stance.
The first day of the three-day conference largely went off as delegates spoke on issues including the economy, aged care, housing, the NDIS and the environment.
Aside from some barbs about needing to go further, party members largely fell behind government policy.
Mr Albanese and his ministers focused on addressing the cost of living and putting in place lasting reform during their term in government.
The prime minister used his keynote speech to fire up the party faithful and chart a path forward to the next federal election.
"The cost of living is the number one pressure on Australian families, which is why it's the number one priority for our government."
He told the conference - his first as prime minister - it was important Labor "plan and build for what's ahead" over its next 18 months in government.
"That's why it's vital we leave this conference with a plan for progress over the next decade and a platform for victory in 2025," he said.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the first budget surplus in 15 years was achieved at the same time the party was delivering on its core value of helping struggling Australians.
ALP national president Wayne Swan ran the true believers through Labor's policy highlights since World War I before turning his focus to the new generation.
"We all understand that in the long run, winning over the next generation will determine our political future," he said.
The conference brings together 402 delegates as well as unionists, businesses and rank-and-file members.
