Labor Arrogance with Greens Preferences
The Australian
MPs vie for seats on new front bench
Brad Norington
March 13, 2007
LABOR MPs in NSW have begun manoeuvring for ministries on a revamped front bench, despite official warnings from Premier Morris Iemma against over-confidence about next weeks state election result.
With Newspoll continuing to show Labor in a commanding position, discussions are under way behind the scenes about making room for star recruit Phil Koperberg and others, including prominent Aboriginal MP Linda Burney. Several ministers face demotion or removal, allowing Mr Iemma to reshape his ministry differently to the one he inherited from predecessor Bob Carr.
Among those said to be struggling to remain on the frontbench are Kerry Hickey, Grant McBride and Diane Beamer.
Over the past week the view has taken hold inside Labor that NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam has effectively given up hope, with his plea that voters should "send a message" to the Government and not allow an easy win. The partys mood has prompted Mr Iemma and NSW ALP head office chief Mark Arbib to reinforce warnings that MPs must keep fixed on the election campaign and not the likely front bench after the March 24 election.
"If anyone is counting numbers now they will find that Morris will veto them later," said one senior source. But the threat has not deterred widespread positioning.
Officials said Mr Koperberg, the high-profile NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner, was believed to be "on a promise" to join the ministry.
Mr Koperberg, who will replace retiring attorney-general Bob Debus in the seat of Blue Mountains, is set to be a Left faction ministerial candidate.
Ms Burney, the first Aboriginal woman elected to the NSW parliament, is also expected to join the ministry, with a Left faction vacancy created by the resignation of Milton Orkopoulos, who faces sex offence charges.
Another ALP left-winger up for promotion is Paul Lynch, the long-serving Liverpool MP who could score a ministerial berth but otherwise could contest the position of parliamentary speaker.
Sources said yesterday that the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, right-winger and former minister John Aquilina, was under threat from Mr Lynch.
In negotiations already under way, ALP right-wingers Eddie Obeid and Amanda Fazio have been tussling to succeed retiring left-winger Meredith Burgmann as president of the NSW upper house.
Deputy president Ms Fazio is believed to have ALP head office blessing, prompting Mr Obeid to retreat from the contest.
With the upper house presidency returning to control of the NSW Right faction, a cross-factional deal could see Mr Aquilinas speakership in the lower house switch to the Left with Mr Lynch.
Labor sources said yesterday that the position of Mr Hickey, Minister for Local Government, was in jeopardy after he had attracted bad publicity over a series of speeding fines.
Neither Mr McBride, the Minister for Gaming, nor Ms Beamer, the Fair Trading Minister, is considered to have blundered, but Mr Iemma is said to want them out for "a new generation".
COMMENT
What more evidence do we need that Independents HAVE to be elected to the Legislative Council in order for there to be any style of democracy within our State Parliamentary processes. As long as the major parties control both houses of parliament by majority, there can be no expectations of sanity what so ever. Vote Independents en-mass into the Upper House and make our Lower House Politicians accountable to the people. YOU! There are many fine Independents campaigning, but beware of the Greens posing as Independents for they are Labor in disguise.
MPs vie for seats on new front bench
Brad Norington
March 13, 2007
LABOR MPs in NSW have begun manoeuvring for ministries on a revamped front bench, despite official warnings from Premier Morris Iemma against over-confidence about next weeks state election result.
With Newspoll continuing to show Labor in a commanding position, discussions are under way behind the scenes about making room for star recruit Phil Koperberg and others, including prominent Aboriginal MP Linda Burney. Several ministers face demotion or removal, allowing Mr Iemma to reshape his ministry differently to the one he inherited from predecessor Bob Carr.
Among those said to be struggling to remain on the frontbench are Kerry Hickey, Grant McBride and Diane Beamer.
Over the past week the view has taken hold inside Labor that NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam has effectively given up hope, with his plea that voters should "send a message" to the Government and not allow an easy win. The partys mood has prompted Mr Iemma and NSW ALP head office chief Mark Arbib to reinforce warnings that MPs must keep fixed on the election campaign and not the likely front bench after the March 24 election.
"If anyone is counting numbers now they will find that Morris will veto them later," said one senior source. But the threat has not deterred widespread positioning.
Officials said Mr Koperberg, the high-profile NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner, was believed to be "on a promise" to join the ministry.
Mr Koperberg, who will replace retiring attorney-general Bob Debus in the seat of Blue Mountains, is set to be a Left faction ministerial candidate.
Ms Burney, the first Aboriginal woman elected to the NSW parliament, is also expected to join the ministry, with a Left faction vacancy created by the resignation of Milton Orkopoulos, who faces sex offence charges.
Another ALP left-winger up for promotion is Paul Lynch, the long-serving Liverpool MP who could score a ministerial berth but otherwise could contest the position of parliamentary speaker.
Sources said yesterday that the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, right-winger and former minister John Aquilina, was under threat from Mr Lynch.
In negotiations already under way, ALP right-wingers Eddie Obeid and Amanda Fazio have been tussling to succeed retiring left-winger Meredith Burgmann as president of the NSW upper house.
Deputy president Ms Fazio is believed to have ALP head office blessing, prompting Mr Obeid to retreat from the contest.
With the upper house presidency returning to control of the NSW Right faction, a cross-factional deal could see Mr Aquilinas speakership in the lower house switch to the Left with Mr Lynch.
Labor sources said yesterday that the position of Mr Hickey, Minister for Local Government, was in jeopardy after he had attracted bad publicity over a series of speeding fines.
Neither Mr McBride, the Minister for Gaming, nor Ms Beamer, the Fair Trading Minister, is considered to have blundered, but Mr Iemma is said to want them out for "a new generation".
COMMENT
What more evidence do we need that Independents HAVE to be elected to the Legislative Council in order for there to be any style of democracy within our State Parliamentary processes. As long as the major parties control both houses of parliament by majority, there can be no expectations of sanity what so ever. Vote Independents en-mass into the Upper House and make our Lower House Politicians accountable to the people. YOU! There are many fine Independents campaigning, but beware of the Greens posing as Independents for they are Labor in disguise.
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