Labor tensions mount

TENSIONS within the Labor Party threaten to hamper Opposition Leader Rebecca White’s ability to attract high-profile candidates for the next state election. Changes to a party rule have sparked concerns with some members that they are designed to make it harder for those from outside the dominant left faction to secure preselection.

INTERNAL tensions within the Labor Party threaten to hamper Opposition Leader Rebecca White’s ability to attract highprofile candidates for the next state election.

Changes to a party rule have sparked concerns with some members that they are designed to make it harder for those from outside the dominant left faction to secure preselection.

The next state election is due by March next year.

Ms White declined to comment in detail on the changes, which are understood to have been driven by union leaders. “Matters before the administrative committee are confidential and I don’t discuss them,” she said.

Among the names touted as potential candidates disadvantaged by the rule change is longtime party member and former staffer for a series of Labor MPs, current Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter.

He has been suggested by some as a candidate for the seat of Franklin, where the retirement of the Liberals’ biggest vote-getter Will Hodgman has thrown the contest wide open.

But his candidacy is opposed by some within the left wing of the Tasmanian Labor Party. Yesterday Mr Winter said seeking preselection was not at the forefront of his mind.

“I’m not involved in internal Labor politics so I am not entirely clear what the issues are or why I am being brought into it,” he said.

“I have no plans to nominate for Franklin.

“I am flattered people think I could make a contribution in state politics, but I am enjoying being Mayor of Kingborough. I just want to focus on that.”

Several other potential Labor candidates for House of Assembly seats did not return calls yesterday, while others declined to speak on or off the record.

Comment was sought from Labor state secretary Stuart Benson. The party has had fallings out with several high-profile members in recent years – notably former Labor MP Madeleine Ogilvie and former senator Lisa Singh.

One supporter of Mr Winter said the Labor Party wasn’t doing itself any favours by limiting the range of people who could be preselected.

“I can see what’s at play here and it’s just the Labor Party consigning themselves to 20 years of irrelevance,” they said.

“I think it’s utterly bizarre. Any party in Tasmania, Labor, Green or Liberal, would be clambering over themselves to get someone of Dean Winter’s standing to run for them. Look at his popularity in Kingborough.

“The only winner out of that is going to be the government.”

Liberal Party state secretary Stuart Smith said Labor should have other concerns.

“We’re quite happy for Labor to continue talking about themselves. We’ll keep working to serve the people of Tasmania.”