On 4th May I wrote an article regarding charges that had been laid against some long-term Labor Party members by NSW Labor. These charges were made by a supporter of Wollongong MP Noreen Hay, an MP who is certainly no stranger to controversy.
The charges were related to these members support of Independent Candidate Arthur Rorris during the last state election rather than support the endorsed candidate Noreen Hay.
These members decided that Arthur Rorris was a far better representation of Labor values than Noreen Hay, and with even a quick glance at their histories it is easy to see why. With Rorris you have someone who has represented the Labor movement as Secretary of the Labor Council for 15 years and ran on anti-corruption platform, vs Hay who is a former Joe Tripodi ally and was even suspended from her government portfolio during the ICAC hearings into Tripodi, Obeid, and their mates but was reinstated later despite huge outcry.
Arthur Rorris – A true labour movement representative
Image – Illawarra Mercury
Add to this Rorris was only running after he had his Labor membership lapse in extremely questionable circumstances despite numerous attempts to resolve the matter through Labors NSW office, as per his email to Jamie Clements linked below.
Arthur Rorris Email To Jamie Clements
NSW Secretary Jamie Clements has backed in Noreen as the Opposition Whip and replaced members of the office staff when current staff allegedly refused to work with Noreen. Clements has also publicly referred to the strongest ally workers have on the NSW south coast as “Rorris The Rat”, prompting many to refer to Jamie as “Clements The C**t”, not my choice of profanities.
One of those facing expulsion is Kim Sattler who has sent Clements a letter, linked below, explaining why she will be unable to attend an appeal hearing into her charges, and to state her view on the circumstances surrounding to charges being brought against her. Kim has kindly allowed publication of her letter in order that other members be made aware of the way concerns of long-standing and active members were being treated by the current Sussex St machine.
Kim Sattler Letter To Jamie Clements
Kim is certainly no party lightweight, she has been a member of the ALP since 1983 and has even been a pre-selected candidate for the seat of Molonglo in the ACT. A tireless campaigner in every campaign imaginable. Kim was also the elected Secretary of Unions ACT from 2006 until 2014 and is also Chair of the National Museum of Labour. As Kim states in her letter
“A person like myself does not decide to support an independent candidate against a sitting member unless something is seriously wrong, and without a lot of considered thought.”
Noreen and Joe – The team Kim didn’t wish to support
Image – Brisbane Times
Kim does not dispute most of the charges brought against her, however she claims this was due to the party not following its own rules and that local branches also failed to follow the rules.
While this may sound fanciful and frivolous to some, it is worth bearing in mind that after a Fairfax investigation, Clements himself was forced to shut down one of these branches, the Mt Keira branch after it was found to have completely falsified branch records.
In her letter Kim also talks of the pre selection itself, and it is clear that she was both shocked and appalled by the process that Jamie Clements deemed was in order.
Jamie Clements
Image ABC
The issues highlighted by Kim in her letter are definitely a poor reflection on the Party, and certainly indicate a lack of leadership from the NSW Branch. I certainly agree with Kim in her criticism of the running of the state campaign, as are many members I have spoken with.
The Sussex St campaign that was authorized by Jamie Clements did not show the party as a well-oiled machine, it showed a party more akin to rusty wreck disintegrating in a paddock. The state campaign was run by the man many believe is hopeful of a seat in the Senate one day, however based on performance I am of the view I wouldn’t have Clements run the campaign for a local council candidate. If the party ever reaches a point where wasting a Senate seat on someone of this caliber sounds feasible than it will be a truly sad day indeed.
How many loyal, hard-working members do the Labor Party need to lose in NSW before the National Executive step in and stem the blood flow?
These members will not just disappear into the political wilderness either, as Kim says in her letter to Clements;
“You can be assured that I will continue to play an active role in local politics but it won’t be in the name of the ALP any longer, but in the name of what the ALP should stand for in future.”
It would seem current Sussex St management have lost all sight of what it is the ALP should be standing for.
Let’s hope a change of direction is on the cards.
Soon.
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If ALP members actively support a candidate against an endorsed Labor candidate they deserve to be expelled. The Party rules are clear. As ALP members we agree to be bound by the Rules and subject to them. Preselections are often hard fought, I know as mine was particuarly tough. Just because you don’t get your candidate up doesn’t mean that you actively support the opposition. ALP sucess is dependent on unity not splits.
Discussing matters before the Internal Appeals Tribunals in a blog only plays into the hands of our opponents.
The 2015 ALP campaign was an effective campaign that led to 14 seats being taken from the Liberals and 20 new ALP MPs. To criticise it only shows a lack of knowledge of the campaign strategies and hard work of volunters on the ground
Excellent Wixxy and another rat has surfaced “Michael Costa pulled his support for the Opposition Leader and said Tony Abbott was safe as prime minister.
This NSW Labor stinkfest is only a little better than the Viv Labor Unity stinkfest and the rabid right of Labor are beginning to turn on themselves
I do see the left gaining momentum with Plibersek winning out on marriage equality as it now goes forward “this time”
The real Rabid Right the LNP is spitting chips at this-beautiful
Cheers on keeping is informed on the misadventures of Sussex Street
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Read my letter hugh – i have worked on Labor campaigns for 30 years now. NSW Labor is letting the whole side down and is a laughing stock in the other states!
Peter, we need a new party paradigm.
… a party of Independents that actually represent their constituents – not some corporate big business style party with sold out leaders, sold out representatives and disenfranchised members.
Hugh (comments above) tells the story of big Party politics … whatever the situation, right or not: representative or not: fair or not: within the rules or not, the Party line must be followed by all members.
Q: so what do people get when they vote for a big Party?
A: they get a Party that is looking after the Party interests first and foremost … after which it seeks to represent the constituents at a local level – so long as the aspirations of the local constituents are aligned with those of the Party (for example: engaging in war, fracking, politician pay increases, ). i seriously doubt the majority of any electorate would support any of these activities … yet here we are!
…. representing the views and aspirations of the majority of their local constituents is what a ‘local member’ is supposed to do (but perhaps Hugh is correct and i’m dreaming).
… providing transparent, open an accountable reasons for supporting / not supporting the passage of Bills through parliament is what a ‘local member’ is supposed to do (but perhaps Hugh is correct and i’m dreaming).
… facilitating community involvement, public discussion and community connection – so that meaningful and thorough discussion of all sides of an issue – is what a ‘local member’ is supposed to do (but perhaps Hugh is correct and i’m dreaming).
contrary to recent trends, i predict a rise in the rate of Independent members being elected.
i encourage these independents to form a party – so they can realistically compete within the political funding parameters existing in Australia. there is no need for a voting bloc or agreement on particular policy direction. every vote these independents cast in parliament should be a reflection of their community – not a cheerleader for a corporation controlled Party representing the Party instead of the constituents.
… and Peter, you should be a part of this movement to help create a new political model and incrementally, purposefully and gradually replace the broken system we currently have (as evidenced by most of your posts) with something that works.
we’ve .been conducting the current experiment for long enough to know that we’ve outgrown it. give it credit for the great achievements, recognise the shortfalls, learn, and evolve.
i’ll close by quoting the 1972 ALP campaign (gotta love a little irony) … it’s time.
couldn’t have said it better myself.
What planet are you on mate, the woman was in the pocket of a bunch of CROOKS and from what I have read she a bit shifty herself,you people you laud the blight on the NSW party that is Sussex st and the denizens in there need to get real.
NSW Labor need to be cleaned out lock stock and Clements uncle Tom Cobbley and you I think