Normal text size Very large text size Theyâre derided as faceless men, they make and break Labor leaders and they determine the policy decisions the ALP takes. Amid recent chatter about Anthony Albaneseâs leadership, there has been speculation about whether he still has the backing of a particular faction or state group. Factions play a crucial role in deciding the leader of the ALP (though the party membership now also gets a vote), in allocating frontbench portfolios, in choosing who gets to run for parliament, and in deciding the partyâs policy positions. But if factional divisions run too deep and the party is divided, itâs that much harder for Labor to form government.