Labor
ALTONA ACTION: Libs step up for a fight while Labor looks back to the future with Jill Hennessy
The Victorian Libs have got their act together quickly for the Altona by-election, with their Admin Committee endorsing Wyndham councillor and police sergeant Mark Rose for the safe Labor seat. And he’s not just any cop either, he’s one of those extremely cool ones that gets to ride a motorbike.
Rose has previously run against Tim Pallas in Tarneit and polled credibly, improving the Liberal vote.
He is seen as an ally of the patriots’ favourite upper house Liberal Bernie Finn, who could hardly be seen as a Baillieu supporter, the current Liberal leader and perpetual source of disappointment to conservatives. Rose is said to be close to Senator Michael Ronaldson and draws on the wise counsel of his staffer Andrew Elsbury.
Rose has astutely played the family man in local campaigns, he’s ex-Army and positions himself as a hard-working no-nonsense cop and has been elected twice to a council that has traditionally been a Labor stronghold.
His critics say he wasn’t the hardest working councillor but is certainly a strong candidate on paper.
JILL’S MOMENT HAS ARRIVED – TAKE THREE
Meanwhile Labor is still contemplating its candidate, at least officially.
Their Admin Committee on Thursday night determined that there will be a local preselection vote to be held all day through next Wednesday at head office, an unusual time and location.
There aren’t a lot of ALP members – apparently no more than fifty in a safe Labor seat with forty thousand voters – so there won’t be long queues forming. There are so few members that it is perhaps the ultimate expression of the aspirations of the so-called “Independent” faction, only a seat with so few members can be trusted to be “stack-free.”
It seems almost certain that they’ll preselect Jill Hennessy, a former lawyer, Port Phillip council bureaucrat and long-time Socialist Left faction operative. Hennessy ran and only narrowly missed out in two federal preselections, in Holt and Isaacs and had told her comrades that no power in Heaven or Earth could make her be one of their candidates ever again.
She’s clearly had a change of heart because she’s certainly running and is understood to have the blessing of the Premier John Brumby, after persistent lobbying from his Health Minister Daniel Andrews.
And she’s demonstrated a quality that is to be admired most of all, persistence. Not at all consistent with the actions of the lefty lawyer show-pony we’d once seen canter around. Good for her.
Another prospective candidate Lori Faraone, who used to work for Lynne Kosky and incorrectly described in the typically misinformed Age newspaper as the front-runner, is believed to have pulled out, essentially in Hennessy’s favour.
A local Hobson’s Bay councillor Luba Grigorovich might still run but is not considered likely to defeat Hennessy centrally. Hennessy – a former party president – is definitely identified with the Jennings-Andrews-Giles-Griffin sub-faction but – through marriage – has strong connections also with the Carr forces so is considered to be reasonably well-placed to walk the minefield of competing affiliations in that merry clan that is the Socialist Left. Lefty observers say that she is no longer a patsy for former close friend Alan Griffin and maintains friendships all across the SL, its sub-factions and splinter groups.
Councillor Luba is thought a highly presentable and ambitious young woman by locals but at 24 years old is considered too young by many of the grouchy Left elders. At one stage it was rumoured that the former member Lynne Kosky – formerly Grigorovich’s boss until she quit the job after the government’s laughably stupid ban on councillors working as political staffers – would come out and publicly endorse her. That now seems highly unlikely.
Hennessy’s critics say she’ll need a Melways to find the seat and has a fragile temperament not suited to the rigours of politics. It’s true that she had some bleak times after losing those federal preselection contests (she started favourite in both, particularly Holt where patriot Anthony Byrne did a brilliant job in snatching it from under her dainty nose) but has obviously kept the faith. Certainly working for the Port Phillip council bureaucracy – where they hire white witches as management consultants – would be enough to persuade anyone to pursue another line of work.
The local party members are said to be none-too-pleased about Hennessy being parachuted in but they are highly unlikely to be able to stop her.
She’ll be a marketable and articulate by-election candidate although as a lefty leaning lawyer running against a motorbike riding cop, she perhaps highlights Labor’s potential problem if the Libs continue to get their act together on law and order issues. Talk of mandatory sentencing or scrapping suspended sentences is the kind of talk likely to get the likes of Hennessy greatly troubled. With the by-election going to be over in a matter of weeks (February 13th), she’ll probably not have sufficient time to make errors of the magnitude required to lose the seat.
If Baillieu fails to make much of a dent in the margin, there’ll be more pressure on his frequently pressured leadership but without a challenger, it looks like they’ll stick with him anyway.
Is a Seinfeld by-election about nothing on the cards? We hope not, we like adventure to liven up our day but we suspect it’s going to be much less entertaining than the Kororoit and Albert Park turkey shoots.
Discussion
65 comments for “ALTONA ACTION: Libs step up for a fight while Labor looks back to the future with Jill Hennessy”
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The State Liberal Party has become a retirement village. We are stuck with Red Ted because of the lack of renewal in the party and now have no alternative leader. The transport issue alone could have been an election winning issue…..how much have we heard from Ted on the Myki mess???
No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no nooooooooooooooooooooo
So we have a local cop who’s the Liberal candidate, and a toff from the other side of the bay who’s the Labor candidate.
When will the west wake up and see who really serves them, and who treats them as their private fiefdom.
Dead Ted and his neo fascists could not win a chook raffle let alone an Altona By election
Believe me If Luba isn’t pre-selected in favour of Kosky’s preferred candidate (Hennessy) the electorate will explode. I can’t believe the Party would be so stupid as to make this decision.
Rose and Finn? Hmmm. Who is the puppeteer behind Bernie these days?
The only good local choice would have been Hamish Park
More power to Jill Hennessey who has the smarts, articulation and gravitas to become a long term member and future Minister. Princess Luba and Wicked witch of the west Lori from that altered states planet called the Altona ALP branch can sink without trace.
Luba will no doubt cry on comrade Ballestrino’s shoulder given that he has led her up a dead end track on both the council (where her unholy alliance with the conservative Independents has come unstuck) as well an embarrassing run at state preselection.
Wait for the tantrum and tears on the front page of the local pares as well as in the middle of Pier Street coming soon!!
What about me… I’m as good as Jill, Lori and Luba!! Why doesn’t anyone care
Mark Rose is the worst, least performing and laziest counclllor in Wyndham. He was endorsed to block Glen the Goodfellow who everyone despises.
Parachutes somtimes fail to open.BUT the emergency cord when pulled often saves the day.The question is will the RIGHT man step up and pull the cord ? MMMMmmm
Hey Seamus, you must be on a promise with Princess Luba to be defending her sooooo much.
I hear she’ promised a few people in her bid to get the Mayoralty some time this decade!! Get into line.
Who is Andrew Rixon, the only candidate to nominate so far? Incidentally I’ve started a new website, Red Bluff, that covers elections amongst other things political and social.
Alp Insider…..I’ve only been on this site for a day but my ’spidersense’ screams apparatchik when it comes to you. We in Altona are fully aware of the pressure being brought to bear on local ALP members by boffins in the party. I am not a member but someone who has had official dealings with Luba and found her to be most impressive. So have others in my industry. Your puerile attempt at sarcasm is very telling.
Seamus and other clever dicks: ]You santimonious cretins! This site thrives on dumb unionists and young Liberals.
Seamus, we know who you are, you’re not a member of the party and you have no voting rights. Stop giving false hope to this kid, you are destroying her future in the ALP.
I also know Luba and am impressed with her. She works hard, has had success locally, is clearly very ambitious but has a lot to learn. Unlike you, I will vote in the preselection. I would have voted for Luba over Lori but now I will vote for Jill Hennessy.
Our local branch has a few left oldies that will sprout off about central office interference, the crimes of the past and teaching them a lesson. However we are not stupid. Jill is an incredible person who gives me new hope on the future of the ALP, plus she is a 100 times better candidate then Luba.
Jill will get pre selection and Luba will look like an idiot. Leave her alone you politically ignorant moron.
Thank god Lori withdrew. She hates everybody, Julia, Bill, Kosky, nasty piece of feminist (another word for the lazy and unwashed), they would have had to have the biggest exhaust fan in her office to get the fumes of her unwashed body
Altona Voter, if you know who I am come and tap me on the shoulder and repeat your last sentence. You have no idea.
We will see how this play’s out and continue this discussion post pre-selection.
Jill getting selected will be a major LOSS for altona.
If Jill gets in.. then into cabinet in the next reshhuffle, There will be noone here representing Altona. Just another absent Minister. Who will never be seen in Altona
Natalie Suelyman for Altona!
Hennessy lives out of the area and is reportedly not interested in living in the swampland of Altona.
Hennessey, just another careerist ALP Lawyer…..pity Altona.
LoL – feeling some preselection pressures are we ‘Seamus’?
Seamus,
Me thinks thou doth protest too much!!
Jill Hennessy will be the candidate and like Lyn Kosky, Nicola Roxon, Tim Pallas etal who have been parachuted into their seats from outside will be an asset to the state ALP Parliamentary team.
Labor needs to hand pick talent and put those candidates into safe seats. For too long the ALP has put up with dud branch stacking talentless time servers in safe lower and upper house seats. The ALP needs to continue to renew and regenerate.
Who knows what the future holds for Luba? She’s been in the party and on the local council for all 5 minutes. A woman in her early twenties has time to map out a political future. The reality is that Altona isn’t and wont be for her!!
She needs to improve her council performance as she is rapidly getting a bad reputation as a pampered and vacuous princess!! Unfortunately she’s fallen in with the dropkick conservatives on council and needs to be her own person.
Altona ALP Insider, ‘methinks’ I was right with the “Apparatchik” comment. I’m speaking from the point of view of a local who wants a local to represent them. I am also a swinging voter with no allegiance to any party. The feedback I have re Luba doesn’t correlate with your comments. In any case opinions will always vary.
We will all be wiser next week, meanwhile the greens and libs have had a presence in Altona today. Interesting times.
Maybe next time loser and close friend of Jake the snake could move there
luba can she last the distance? I doubt it, dont think she will be around in 5 years
Anonymous,
You’re right, Luba will no doubt spit the proverbial in not getting preselection, not getting a Mayoralty over the coming council term and l can’t see her sticking around for the long haul. She’s a political opportunist who wants the world handed to her on a gilded platter!
She hasn’t got the political smarts to see where she’s going wrong and her “mentors” like John (the Don) Ballestrino and Peter (the Gerbil) Hemphill will only continue to lead her astray..
Oh and Seamus,
YOU’RE WRONG l’m no apparatchik like Luba who sucks on the public teet, l have an honest job in the real world.
Oh and Seamus,
YOU’RE WRONG l’m no political apparatchik (like Luba who lives off the public purse), l have an honest job in the real world.
george Seitz for Altona!
Justin Mammeralla for Altona!
gorge seitz for altona
boring
stop door knocking Luba!!
Grigorovitch or Hennessy makes little differnce the ALP will win. The real issue is Mark Rose who carries more baggage then a Qantas 747. Not only is he lazy and does not meet his personal or professional commitments. He and his fascist little mate Elsbury ride roughshod over patriot Liberals in their area. Liberals could well do without both of them.
I am a local girl – born and breed in Altona. Have lived in Altona and now Altona Meadows. Schooled and grew up in Altona. Family all still live here. So a real local. I would love to put my hand up – but not currently affiliated to any party.
I have a law degree (just admitted) but not yet practising – I also have an IT Business degree. Spent 15 years in the public service and got to senior level. So whats a girl to do?
Give me the job and I will pose on the sand in my Bikini from Rays Tent City and share my fish and chips with my loyal locals.
14.57 So what to do – Join a faction, get promised a seat and then STILL get screwed over!!
Bad Zoe Edwards for Altona
I know Mark Rose the Liberal Candidate. He is a hard worker who has the communities best interest in mind. He is not like most wannabes who join councils/politics to feather their own nest. At least he has backbone and is willing to put his neck on the line.
At least Rose is local.
I won’t vote for someone from the other side of town who despises us so much that she won’t even live here.
I reckon there might even be room for a well known local independent in the field.
I have lived in Werribee for 30yrs.I am yet to see anything positive come here from the Labor Party. I belong to no party I want what is best fro the West.Whilst you keep voting for the same political party time after time we will get very little spent on the West. It is time the voters took things into their own hands and made some changes.While you live in a safe seat you will get nothing done and you will still be whinging and whining after the next election. So it is time you all woke up and made some changes.How much of your taxes get spent on the Eastern suburbs in proportion to the West. If Labor gets back in you will be set back another tenyears. But if you like your taxes being spent everywhere else, but the West go for it, But do not complain about your Transport, your roads, your hospitals and your schools as you are the ones with the power to change.For the ones who do not know what a marginal seat it is when the voters change their votes to get action.
I also do not belief that voting is about personality voting it is about commitment to your area. I believe to know the needs of a community you need to live in the area and know what is needed. I have campaigned for more police in the west for over five years now. No one is listening. I feel we have fewer police here now than when we started.We said when we started campaigning that crime would blow out if we did not get our fair share of police on patrol.
How long is it since you saw police on the beat in Altona. The SOS petition by the Police Assoc. was in the streets of Altona this week and one person got nearly 200 signatures in a few hours. I think that tell you what is needed. Do you feel safe on the trains at night alone or walking down pier street at night alone. I am sure I would not do it.Only your vote at the polls can change this.
A vote for Labor in a safe seat will give us nothing. If we stir up the pot and put in the Libs, watch Brumby spend money in the west like never before as he tries to buy our votes for the next election. We may get those PROMISES sooner rather than later. Derrimut rd and Point Cook rd duplicated, Point Cook train station, more Police for Wyndham. It might also leave Julia Gillard a little short of breath and cause her to spend time in her electorate to fix the things we need
..
Try getting an appointment to see Julia Gillard. Tried for a family about to be sent back to the UK. was told by Vicky that that was what her staff were for. Did not realise that they were voted in thought they were hired.
Mark Rose – you must be joking. He can’t even represent us local residents on council. We call him “the phantom” – never seen. Do the right thing and let a committed resident have your seat on council.
Lori at least be honest with your comments. Julia, as you well know, is around Werribee as much as possible and attends as many local functions as she can. Her staff, as you also know, are always helpful and try to help. By the way, Lori, I AM NOT A MEMBER OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY – just like honesty
Lori, please be honest when you make comments. Julia, as you well know, is around the area a lot and attends many local functions (with no photographers around).
Julia cannot be everywhere and that is why she hires staff. I have always found Vicky and all of them to be helpful and obliging.
Werribee resident,
It is obvious you have an affiliation, you may not be a member so what, but your comments certainly tell us where you stand. As for Mark Rose, he must ruffle a few feathers amongst your peers. Mark Rose is community minded & certainly keeps council members from raving on about their own agendas. If he was ‘The Phantom’ why has he been elected to council 3 times. He just doesn’t suffer fools & has obviously got under your skin. I say ‘Good Luck’ to him & hope he puts the wind up the Labor party. People deserve better than this.
The only Agenda is his own!!!
Kathleen,
Would you like to clarify what his own agenda is???
Werribee resident you are so right. I am still waiting for a return phone call from Cr. Rose after leaving many messages. Doesn’t give me much confidence in him.
local resident – ever heard of preferences? I was born in werribee and have always been interested in local council. I think you will find that Shane Bourke’s preferences have “dragged” Cr. Rose over the line. Have never been and will never belong to any political party, just passionate about the city I live in.
Mark Rose is probably a nice guy but honestly mate get your priorities in order. I believe youhave 4 young kids and that is a large job in itself. wait until they are older to go into the big game politics. Obviously local resident is a friend and good on them for defending you, but face the truth – you are not well known as a councillor who is out there – maybe you like to keep a low profile or you are not a peoples person, but we need someone who is prepared to be amongst the people – sorry Mark butit is just NOT YOUR TIME
Point Cook
Well after 3 terms on Council as a Councillor I would have thought Cr Rose would be known amongst his community and if not maybe there lies the answer.
We need a HARD WORKING politicians to represent the WEST otherwise we aren’t going to get what we deserve here.
I’m on neither side of the fence either!
I see people want to bash the Liberal candidate, but where is the Labour candidate Jill Hennessy. Mark Rose has been around the electorate since it was announced, i see him at the train station, shopping centres, & even door knocking. I have not seen Ms Hennessy once nor other candidates. The sad thing it appears to be a given to Jill to win. You all seem good couch critics. If you don’t like things & think you can do better, then nominate for council, state, etc. By the way i do not know Mark Rose, nor a member of a party, but can sure as hell tell you i see him do a lot more than others around town. He will be getting my vote!
where was mark rose before this election was called. sure wasn’t around the area he is supposed to represent and like cheryl, i am still waiting for him to return my calls. ended up ringing one of the other councillors who is now mayor and she rang me back the same day. sorry mark, but i think the job is too big for you
Werribee Resident I am not one for telling lies. I know Julia and Have had many talks with her. I like her as a person and have no qualms about that. However when a family is in such dire trouble and needs to speak to the Local MP on an extremely important matter I think she would spare him a few minutes of her time if they could get past Miss Vicky. Do not ever call me a liar and why dont you use your name what are you afraid of.
Why is it when there is no one in Werribee with the gumption to take on the labor party and at least try to make this a marginal seat so as we can get some action here .do you annonyomous people denegrate a candidate who is at least giving it a go. Why have you not put your hand up to try to be elected. No too busy knocking others.and hiding under annonymity.
gutless wonders.
By the way werribee resident I am not the writer of time for change as I nver use annonymous names.I have the courage of my convictions and speak as I find.Put your name where your big mouth is.
Good one Lori, stick it up them!
To Get rid of Labor, Thank you I have been trying to get the people of the West to start thinking before they vote.The trouble is they think Labor is for the working people. Well we are all working people and all deserve a fair share of our taxes. When I see the ammount of money I believe to be $400 million on the Box Hill Hospital and I believe $10 million on the Werribee Hospital I think this is so unfair.The trouble with some people they have no idea what a marginal seat brings to a community.They go to work come home shut their door until something affects them like trying to get a childrens hospital in the West they take no notice unless they have asick child and need to use public transpot to get into the city.I want for this community a Govt who will sit up and listen to our needs and concerns and the only way to do this is to make our district electorates marginal seat. Inequities exist when people continue to vote for the same party because that is the way they always vote without thinking of the consquences to your community. I sure hope to see some change this election and maybe pollies will start to take the West seriously and not just a safe seat where they could send their pet dog to and people vote for it.
An anon comment – what a waste.
What I did last week doesn’t count much, but what I may do tomorrow is all important in continued employment. If you want a job for the next few years then I’d need some expectation that me giving you that job would be worthwhile.
Right now I’d just like to see someone lose their valued position to understand that. Be a swinging seat, then maybe someone would be working for you to swing their way.