Regional Labor gets a say

MATTHEW KILLORAN LABOR branches in regional Queensland will get a say in the party’s review of its disastrous federal election campaign.

It comes as Labor’s national secretary, Noah Carroll – blamed by some for key blunders in the disastrous campaign – fell on his sword at the party’s executive meeting yesterday.

A four-month review, agreed to at the meeting, will be headed by former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill and ex-Queensland minister Craig Emerson.

Four other panel members will represent different states, including Queensland Senator Anthony Chisholm.

The detailed inquiry will seek feedback from regional branches, which were angered when Brisbane-based Nita Green won the highly sought after north Queensland Senate gig ahead of candidates from the region.

The inquiry will also focus on campaign co-ordination, strategy, decision making, the party’s engagement with the union movement, and preference negotiations.

Attempted preference talks with Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party were leaked, including text message conversations received by News Corp.

It’s also understood there will be an examination of the targeted seats campaign after the party sacrificed its chances in Queensland over its Adani and other policies while chasing seats in Melbourne that failed to materialise.

Following yesterday’s executive meeting, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese thanked Mr Carroll for his service as national secretary, a position he has held for almost three years.

“He is a person who always acted with integrity and absolute commitment to the cause of Labor,” he said.

“He leaves this position with the thanks and respect of everyone in our movement.”