Labor infighting heats up over succession planning ahead of Dan Andrews’ anticipated retirement

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan has dismissed reports that factional tensions are building in the Labor Party after bombshell branch-stacking allegations were made against Lily D’Ambrosio.

Lily D’Ambrosio came under fire on Tuesday after the leaking of documents that linked her to an alleged rort. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan has dodged questions about whether a leak against Lily D’Ambrosio was a factional hit, calling the the claims “gossip and speculation”.

Ms Allan dismissed reports that factional tensions were building inside the Victorian Labor Party on Wednesday after branch-stacking allegations were linked to Minister D’Ambrosio.

“There’s always lots of talk, isn’t there, in every profession about lots of things,” she said.

“This is all hypotheticals, gossip and speculation.”

Ms Allan said Ms D’Ambrosio, a member of the party’s Socialist Left faction, is an “outstanding member of the Andrews Labor government”.

“She works incredibly hard, incredibly committed, particularly to the policy areas that she’s working on,” she said.

“Matters of membership, they’re a matter for the Labor Party and Lily will continue to do the great job that she does.”

Deputy Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan being grilled about the Commonwealth Games cancelation. Picture: David Caird

Ms Allan refused to say whether Ms D’Ambrosio was a strong contender for Deputy Premier in the event that Daniel Andrews quits, saying she wouldn’t be drawn on “hypotheticals”.

It comes as the internal Labor Party “hit” on one of Daniel Andrews’ closest and most loyal allies has been described by insiders as the biggest open challenge to the Premier’s authority in years.

Allies of embattled minister Lily D’Ambrosio – a key supporter of Mr Andrews – say she is the victim of an ALP war over the future control of the party, after a damaging leak against her.

The senior minister came under fire on Tuesday after the leaking of documents which linked her to an alleged rort in which the signatures of at least two dead people were said to be forged on party membership forms.

The allegations sparked calls for Ms D’Ambrosio’s sacking and prompted a referral to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission by the state opposition.

Lily D’Ambrosio is a key supporter of Daniel Andrews. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Labor insiders on Monday told the Herald Sun they believed a senior party figure leaked the documents as part of an intensifying war between Ms D’Ambrosio’s Socialist Left faction and the party’s right.

They say it centres around succession-planning ahead of Mr Andrews’ anticipated retirement and the increasing control his (and Ms D’Ambrosio’s) faction has secured within the party.

Its growing strength includes securing a majority on the party’s powerful administrative committee, with a plan also in play for the left to seize the coveted state secretary position.

There is also angst about the factional makeup of the parliamentary leadership team.

Several sources said Ms D’Ambrosio had been sounding out colleagues about an increased leadership role, possibly Deputy Premier, in the event Mr Andrews quit.

“Lily would have to be a serious contender for the leadership,” one source said.

Sources said Ms D’Ambrosio had been sounding out colleagues about an increased leadership role. Picture: David Crosling

“Lily has been a target for many years because she holds one of the safest seats in the state.

“What we have been seeing all year is a leadership tussle over Daniel’s spot.”

One veteran Labor source said the leak was the worst “hit” on a cabinet minister they had seen in almost three decades.

Ms D’Ambrosio, meanwhile, rejected the rorting claims outright.

“I reject any wrongdoing in those inferences that were reported in one media outlet this morning,” she said on Tuesday.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto called on the Premier to act, as he did on similar allegations against factional foes.

“Daniel Andrews needs to dismiss Minister D’Ambrosio, refer her to IBAC and to Victoria Police, just as he did with Adem Somyurek three years ago,” he said.

“Daniel Andrews can’t have one standard of behaviour for his enemies and one for his friends.”

Mr Andrews responded by saying the allegations had no foundation.

“When it comes to the integrity of Ms D’Ambrosio – and this assertion that she’s somehow not focused on ministerial duties – I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone more focused on the ministerial duties,” he said.

“She’s a person of character, hard work.”

In 2021, an investigation involving IBAC and the Ombudsman probed branch-stacking by Mr Somyurek’s Mods faction.

Originally published as Labor infighting heats up over succession planning ahead of Dan Andrews’ anticipated retirement