Labor
LEFT ON LEFT VIOLENCE: War of words over training day
Low profile yet influential Victorian member for Melton Don Nardella has gone national with The Australian’s Strewth column reporting on the long-time MP’s reaction to a cancelled training session at his party’s Head Office.
Don is a lovely bloke who had the pleasure of working at Head Office back in the day so of course has a strong view about how things should be, reflected in his email quoted in Strewth today.
Lest we reflect News Ltd’s John Hartigan’s view that non-newspaper online sites take their IP, we won’t link through to their yarn but they have quoted the Scripture of Don so we’ll claim that as belonging to all Mankind:
“This is outrageous! I have organised a replacement staff member for tomorrow and now I have to get a hold of my staff and tell them. What the (act of sexual intimacy) is the trainer doing working on preselections tomorrow? And what snow are they under? Don’t they care about the next election? … This is bullshit.”
VEXNEWS can exclusively report that Donato’s frank and meaningful exposition did not meet with universal acclaim. A typical response came from the Socialist Left’s state ALP Assistant Secretary and Army Reserve combatant Kosmos Samaras. He is not known for taking a knife to a gunfight. Even in responding to a member of his own faction (Nardella’s Pledge micro-faction is now officially back with the Socialist Left)
He does not mince words about what he sees as the inappropriate nature of a number of nuisance challenges against marginal seat MPs from certain elements within the Far Left, George Seitz (currently on European Vacation, God bless him) and the SDA:
From: Kosmos Samaras
Sent: Friday, 26 June 2009 9:15 AM
Subject: Today’s cancelled training day
Dear MP,
It has come to my attention that some members have expressed disappointment that today’s electorate officer training day has been cancelled.
With regret we will instead be administering a huge number of pre-selections, sadly many involving hard working marginal seat MPs like you.
It was not anticipated that marginal seats would be challenged, and therefore, in addition to us organising an increased number of ballots, our time tomorrow will be spent in pursuing a resolution to this predicament which will hopefully allow many of you to get back to securing your seat for 2010.
Furthermore, it is also important to clarify that today’s scheduled session was going to be conducted by the Premiers Office and myself, and not a designated training officer. Many of you may recall that at several marginal seat meetings we strongly reiterated the point that we have not allocated resources to a full time training officer.
Therefore, my duties as the officer responsible for conducting ALP internal elections and coordinating marginal seats campaigns would have regrettably clashed.
Finally, due to yesterday’s events some electorate staff cancelled their attendance to the training day and it was deemed important to provide them an opportunity to attend when local matters were resolved.
On a personal note, the distress that these challenges have caused members of the MSG and their staff is what I find outrageous, along with the grim reality that the Opposition will now have an opportunity to use these internal divisions to attack the very MPs who have been irresponsibly challenged.
We will notify all MPs and staff of a new scheduled date as soon as possible. If you have any question, please give me a call on 0407 047 XXX or on 9933 8XXX.
Regards
Kos
We figure that was probably the final word on the subject.
There are wildly competing views circulating about how three ALP preselection contests in particular will go. The rest are considered highly unlikely to be contests at all, with a very remote chance that Calwell federal MP Maria Vamvakinou could be defeated, and many of George Seitz’s Dad’s Army candidates now being encouraged to withdraw by the wily veteran. He’ll leave candidates in Prahran, Mordialloc and possibly Northcote just for a lark. We understand that fifth columnist Colleen Gibbs has already withdrawn in Yuroke, following VEXNEWS revelations she had been promoting a rival anti-Labor political party. Now we’ve saved Liz Beattie from preselection challenge, we expect to invited to “Strangers” for tea and scones at the earliest opportunity.
While SDA loyalist Marlene Kairouz has been claiming her group has the numbers against Treasury Parliamentary Secretary Fiona Richardson in Northcote, local insiders think it’s unlikely that her patron Nazih Elasmar, the upper house warlord patriot would vote against his old friend Fiona Richardson. While Nazih rolls with the Feeney/SDA forces, he is considered a worldly and wise man of peace and goodwill. Rolling the future minister would not be the ideal look for him, some think. His support though will be important.
In Preston, Nazih is personally accompanying his brother-in-arms Robin Scott to meet with local branch members and express solidarity. His opponent Tony Helou enjoys popular support within Nazih’s base in Preston but many doubt that will be enough to roll the shrewd Feeneyista numbers man Robin Scott.
In Pascoe Vale, Joe Italiano battles away against Christine Campbell, who had been expected to retire at this election. One of the consequences of the stability deal was that many incumbent MPs who might have been expected to move on have been afforded a high degree of protection. Italiano, a lawyer specialising in immigration matters, has strong ties with local Italian branch members. He was once very active in Labor Unity years ago but has not been visible for many years and is not believed to be a faction member. Whether he’s able to make in-roads into other members against a long-term incumbent has also been widely discussed, particularly in the high command of the SDA, who regard Christine as a true and faithful warrior for their cause and an important part of the union’s representation within the ALP.
There are three weeks to go before we’ll know.
Discussion
47 comments for “LEFT ON LEFT VIOLENCE: War of words over training day”
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Fiona Richardson wont win the local vote and will rely on the POSC to save her.
She can’t be a minister if she can’t save her seat. Gone.
Fiona is and always will be a star in her electorate and WILL win because she has the experience and committment long term! unlike other blow ins who waste time and money on nothing but spitfull and meaningless campaigns.
She’ll pay a very high price for running a candidate against Christine Campbell. Campbell will get another term. But will Fiona? It will all depend on POSC after she is humiliated locally.
Robin 75% of local vote
Christine 66% of local vote
Fiona 40% of local vote
You read it here first.
Why would Nazih support Fiona when she did so much to stab him in the back?
The M.L.A. for Northcote has lived off other peoples votes for a long time. Time for the curtain to be pulled.
Robin 75%
Christine 50%
Fiona 30%
Some of you people are full of shit…and I suspect know little about Nortchote or BATMAN
Fiona will win, even if Nazih witholds support for her (which is doubtfull to say the least). She was the convener of the RIght and her cute blonde looks should not be misintereputed as being timid and shy. I bet no one attacking has the balls to do it to her face.
Fiona is a good member for Northcote, lives in the electorate, juggles her family live, ALP commitments and parliamenty commitments well.
The SL claim to have numbers but when it comes to voting time, they dont materialise.
The one time in recent memory that a vote went ahead in Northcote, the SL was crushed (and so was the right) as none of them could organise getting the numbers. If the Federal member hadnt then brokered an arrangement, the FEA Exec would have had NO SL representation.
I am a long standing member of the ALP, and have no affiliation with either SL or RIght but am always astounded of the ALP’s ability to destroy themselves. Keep fighting, attempt to up seat Fiona and the Greens may win Northcote as well.
Northcote is no longer the safe seat, (particulary the lower part around Alphington, Westgarth)the Greens are gaining yet some wankers in the party seem to think their egos are more important then winning. Get over yourself.
Northcote needs someone like Fiona, to fight off the Greens (and I mean fight not rolling over and agreeing with their BS) cos if the SL miracualsy win, Northcote will be lost.
Why didnt the panel put doug mcleod up for nomination? He is an active candidate in Elections
Premier’s office would want to be pretty bloody careful about what training they conduct for electorate officers – slippery slope of using taxpayers funds for political purposes. Besides that fact, I am stumped as to what the less than hard working individuals from Treasury Place could offer electorate officers anyway. I don’t think that EO’s would get much value out of core PPO skills like grafting free tickets to sporting events, how to get to the sandwich tray first at launches and events, ignoring the interests of local MPs, affiliated unions and core Labor stakeholders when making key decisions, basing policy direction on Age newspaper articles or being too cool to return phone calls.
You are so right Fred. Then they come out to offices during the election period and most have never even handed out a HTV let alone run a campaign.
Yes Nazih is a patriot but not of Australia. If you trust him you are in serious trouble mate. Of course Fiona will survive but her hubby is a goner….
“With regret we will instead be administering a huge number of pre-selections”
Er, isn’t that part of your job Kossie??
And since when is 20 odd preselections a ‘huge’ number?
If you cant handle it, why doesn’t the Victorian ALP get someone capable in who can?
Where’s Julian Sheezel?
Julian is sharing large meat pie with me in my Outhouse.
What about Ivanhoe?
Carbines has the numbers locally, according to polling.
Not quite, Langdon has it by a Bee’s Dick.
mmmmm dicks
Craig Langdon = Goner.
My friends call me Jungle Bunny.
Poor Kosmos, upset he has to work in a democratic process, I guess he prefers comrade Stalin’s way.
Don Nardella won’t lose much sleep over this crap.
I luv Fiona Ruchardsun she’s choice ehh Bro
F.Richardson is in it for what she can get out of it. $$$ and power.
Fiona Richardson is a great MP. She is a great organiser. Single handedly Fiona defeated the Greens on the Darebin Council. Fiona’s superb organisation helped the ALP win 8 of the 9 Council seats up for grabs.
Great work Fiona. You’ll get 80 per cent of the local plebiscite vote whatever some of the fools who comment on this news site think.
“The one time in recent memory that a vote went ahead in Northcote, the SL was crushed (and so was the right) as none of them could organise getting the numbers.”
Comrade, how the Fuck did Delahunty get up? you fool. I was there!
Andrew too many effwitted contributions.
What has Chrisitine Campbell ever done for her constituents or anyone for that matter? Her best gig is preaching the word about abortion and why, frankly, Jesus is just such a great bloke. Add to that the fact that she is clinically stupid and about as charasmatic as a bag full of four week old horse turds and you begin to understand why the ‘ambition faction’ couldn’t even give away a root in a whore house much less run the State.
Do any you nitwits know Christine Campbell?
I do, she is just as passionate about helping people as she was the day she entered parliament.
So unless you know what you are talking about, shut it.
Leftie Janet
We love Don Nardalla
Carbines 54%
Langdon 46%
Langdon needs to pull something out of the bag.
Langdon won’t get the POSC vote. When he walked on to the conference floor the crowds parted as everyone went out of their way not to talk to him.
*not
He’ll get his pension what more does he want?
Craig Langdon is finished.
Wonder how he feels after supporting Anthony Carbines all these years?
Hahahahaha stabbed in the back.
Craig Langdon take note: – Heidelberg Centrelink is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
Carbines is a dirty double crossing lowlife, I can’t wait until the next state ewlection I will use 110% of my power and cash to destroy him and support the Libs. Carbines I promise you, your life will be HELL!
I don’t like Chrustine Cembell all that much.
Now, now, Craig that’s not very nice. After all we will all be supporting the ALP won’t we?
bit late with the higgin news, andrew
Labor sorts out its branches
Rick Wallace, Victorian political reporter | July 04, 2009
The Australian
THE state ALP is laying bare its darkest secrets in a sign it finally may be getting serious about tackling branch stacking. Sources tell Inquirer that, of the state party’s 12,000 to 14,000 members, as little as half are undisputedly genuine. The rest, the sources say, are predominantly stacks, installed in bulk in certain electorates to preselect candidates favoured by particular factional powerbrokers.
For years now, independents in the party have been decrying branch stacking but often have been a voice in the wilderness. Now, though, there seems to be some political will across the factions to tackle the issue.
The catalyst for action was the recent deadline day for renewals, when party warlords and their minions were seen bringing in bulk memberships and sometimes paying for them in cash.
For those involved it was evidently just business as usual, despite the spotlight on branch stacking.
That the party, John Brumby and the Labor government had been publicly hung out to dry over the abuse-of-office fiasco surrounding the Labor-run Brimbank Council in Melbourne’s west and associated factional skulduggery wasn’t enough to persuade the warlords not push the boundaries. As a result of the embarrassment, the ALP has established a committee to look at ways to stamp out stacking.
It’s far from the first time the ALP has set up a body to consider this question, and, on the figures relayed to Inquirer, the extent of the stacking seems as bad as ever.
But this time key figures in the party’s main factions, not just the increasingly marginalised independents, are behind the moves to clean house.
“Most associations and membership organisations are in decline across the Western world,” one source says.
“We have identified we have a problem and if we don’t address it we are going to be gone as an organisation.”
The committee meets for the first time this week and will deal with fast solutions to prevent another deadline day stackathon before looking at the bigger picture.
But some in the party are already turning their mind to more radical solutions. Paradoxically, one of the most promising ideas involves admitting defeat and recognising that the stackers adapt to rule changes and are able to get around them, often through lack of enforcement.
Placing increasingly tighter restrictions on membership makes it harder for legitimate members to join when the party needs them more than ever.
Handled clumsily, anti-stacking provisions also make it harder for those from other cultures, or those from the broader community, to join political parties, something the ALP must avoid.
The recent growth in membership of Indian-Australians in the Liberal Party, for example, allowed it to be ahead of the curve in decrying the assaults on Indian students when the government and the police in Victoria were still claiming these weren’t racist attacks.
So the most radical solution, which has some credence in the party, is to try to outnumber the stacks with legitimate members and thus dilute their power.
Those promoting the idea use Lindsay Tanner’s federal seat of Melbourne as an example, saying there are at least 500 legitimate members and virtually no stacks. Tanner, the federal Finance Minister, obviously has the seat for as a long as he wishes, but in any future preselection anyone wanting to grab the seat would have to legitimately appeal to the members rather than getting themselves into hock to any particular warlord.
It’s easier to find 500 politically motivated folk in inner Melbourne than the mortgage belt, where time and money are in short supply.
That’s why there’s thought being given to slashing membership fees, which can be as high as $210 a year, and making state-wide (not linked to a particular branch) memberships free.
The logical extension of this is to conduct preselections solely via ballots of all members in a seat, with no input from the ALP’s union-controlled central panel.
This stack-free utopia seems a bit of a pipe dream at the moment; the Premier recently had to send all upper house preselections and lower house preselections in the Brimbank area to the national executive to prevent stacked branches and feuding warlords delivering up inappropriate candidates. But maybe where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Stacks that deliver inappropriate candidates over the years for Brumby: Telmo Languiller, George Setiz, Brendan O’Connor, Marsha Thompson, Maria Vanvakanou, Martin Pakula, Billy Shorton and mate Marlene Karnoz and just about 80% of all Victorian seats short memory Labor your all in it up to your necks!!!
Yes anon, spoken like a true “independent” who would like to see the ALP only preselect candidates from Albert Park or Kew. How dare we choose our candidates from people who were not born in luxury! tosser
Talent is the exception and mediorcity is the general rule, Most MPs (Liberal and ALP) would not earn the amounts they do as MPs in the private sector. It is often said pay peanuts and you get monkeys, well there are more monkeys in parliament than people with talent.
Jaala Pulford,Tim Pallas STACKS.
Hay Hay dont forget.
Whats Gavan Disney and Craig Langdon got in common?
Carbines? Langdon? Who cares?
Jamie – The Other Max will win Ivanhoe in 2010.