Shock pick: Shop assistants’ union boss Peter Malinauskas emerges as Labor’s replacement for disgraced former MP Bernard Finnigan

A FACTIONAL powerbroker and union boss is being urged to enter State Parliament as Labor’s shock pick to replace disgraced former MP Bernard Finnigan.

Peter Malinauskas, Secretary of the Shop Assistants' Union in SA.

• Disgraced politician Bernard Finnigan resigns from Parliament

FACTIONAL powerbroker and shop assistants’ union boss Peter Malinauskas is being urged to enter State Parliament as Labor’s shock pick to replace disgraced former MP Bernard Finnigan.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Premier Jay Weatherill has offered the post to Mr Malinauskas, inset, who was critical in delivering the numbers to remove Mike Rann as Labor leader in 2011.

The Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association secretary is regarded in Labor circles as a possible future leader and has previously been touted for a move into federal politics.

Mr Malinauskas, 35, said he was strongly considering the offer and would make a decision in coming days. Labor’s state executive meets tomorrow to open nominations for the vacancy.

“I’m very seriously thinking about it,” Mr Malinauskas said. “It’s a pretty incredible opportunity when the premier of the state calls you up and asks you to stand up and make a contribution.” Mr Malinauskas has been the head of the SDA, the biggest union in Labor’s dominant Right faction, for eight years.

He was a key mover in the 2011 deal to free up CBD shopping hours.

“There’s lots of things to weigh up,” he said yesterday. “I’ve very much been committed to working for the union. It’s a responsibility I have taken seriously for a long time.

“I also want to be able to chat with family, friends and trusted colleagues about this.”

As an Upper House member, Mr Malinauskas could not contend for the party leadership. However, it is understood he would be placed on the fast track to a senior ministry.

Discussions between Mr Weatherill and Mr Malinauskas about the Upper House post began last week.

The pair met formally yesterday morning as the premier hardened his pitch. Mr Weatherill said Labor needed to fill Parliament with the best candidates available.

“I do think he is the most talented person in the labour movement outside of Parliament, and we need every available talent to help us meet the challenges we have in SA,” Mr Weatherill said.

“He’s not only been a very significant leader of his union, he’s also played a much broader role. He’s been a contributor to public debate.

“He also enjoys a really constructive relationship with the business community and has broad support across the spectrum as a straight shooter.”

Mr Weatherill said it “seems natural” that Mr Malinauskas should aspire to becoming a minister. “There’s no vacancy at the moment but, should there be, he’d be an obvious choice,” he said.

Finnigan resigned from Parliament on Thursday as public anger raged over a finding of guilt in his long-running child pornography case. Parliament must confirm a replacement on December 1.

Before Mr Weatherill’s offer, the frontrunner was former Labor state secretary Michael Brown.