He’s back: Former Labor Party ‘Godfather’ Don Farrell finally finds his way back into party power base

EXCLUSIVE: South Australia’s “Godfather” of the Labor Party is back — after Don Farrell was anointed as Deputy Opposition Leader in the Senate, which comes with a coveted Shadow Cabinet position.

• List: The new senators from SA
• Don Farrell farewells cauldron of politics
• Why Jay Weatherill and Don Farrell are bitter enemies

SOUTH Australia’s “Godfather” of the Labor Party is back — after Don Farrell was anointed as Deputy Opposition Leader in the Senate, which comes with a coveted Shadow Cabinet position.

As a key member of the Right faction, Mr Farrell replaces Stephen Conroy, who quit in a shock move last week.

Senator Farrell returned to the Senate at the 2016 election after a surprise loss in 2013 saw him booted out of Parliament.

The Advertiser understands Opposition Leader Bill Shorten made the decision to again elevate the party stalwart.

A party insider said Senator Farrell, who helped install Julia Gillard as Prime Minister, “had the experience and respect of his colleagues to fill this vacancy and do a great job”.

It also means he will be SA Senator Penny Wong’s deputy, putting the state in a powerful position in Canberra’s unruly upper house.

Senator Farrell lost his seat in 2013 because he had given the top spot to Senator Wong when everyone erroneously believed Labor would win two spots.

They kept just one after Nick Xenophon ate into their primary vote, leaving Senator Farrell to while away the years tending his grapevines, welcoming a grandson (Edward) and running a consultancy business.

But the factional powerbroker, ex-union boss and (formerly) faceless man was never going to give up on politics easily.

“They sometimes call me The Godfather. There are a couple of sequels of that,” he told The Advertiser in 2013.

Labor's godfather, Don Farrell. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Premier Jay Weatherill. Picture: Calum Robertson

He later suffered a smackdown from Premier Jay Weatherill after an attempted run for state parliament. Mr Weatherill called it a “factional try-on” that would bring Federal “divisions and disunities” into the state.

Yesterday Senator Farrell pointed out that SA punches above its weight in Canberra and described Senator Wong as his “very good friend”.

“We can’t help but have talented politicians … there must be something in the water,” he said, while still dealing with the aftermath of flooding at his Waterfall Gully Rd home.

“Of course we don’t have the numbers in the Senate; but nor do the government so my job is to assist the leader to ensure that whatever position we take, we’re able to defend that position,” he said.

“It’s good for SA; obviously with two of the four leadership positions going to SA it means that when Labor comes to power the submarine contracts are secure.”

Senator Wong said the appointment was “a vote of confidence in Labor’s SA team.”

“Don brings to this role a depth of experience in politics and a track record of leadership in the Labor movement,” she said.

Senator Conroy quit in an understated but ultimately spectacular manner last week; he tabled his resignation speech without reading it out, shocking his unwitting colleagues.

Senator Conroy’s shadow portfolios — Special Minister of State and Sport — could also go to Senator Farrell.