Sam Dastyari’s mate Bob Nanva an early favourite for party’s assistant secretary role

A GROOMSMAN for Senator Sam Dastyari is an early favourite to become a Labor Party assistant secretary in the wake of the Jamie Clements scandal.

Sam Dastyari

A GROOMSMAN for Senator Sam Dastyari is an early favourite to become a Labor Party assistant secretary in the wake of the Jamie Clements scandal.

National Rail Tram and Bus Union secretary Bob Nanva heads a large field of candidates to replace Right assistant secretary Kaila Murnain, who is moving up.

Mr Nanva has long been friends with Mr Dastyari, who battled with Mr Clements for control of the NSW Right in the federal caucus.

But several other hats are in the ring, including Rob Allan, who used to hold the position, Labor MP Courtney Houssos’ husband George Houssos and Labor executive officer Dom Ofner. Even former Kogarah MP Cherie Burton and former upper house MP Amanda Fazio have been spoken of as potential candidates.

Ms Murnain, 29, is set to be confirmed as general secretary at the party’s annual conference on February 13-14.

But her election will not occur without a fight, with the Left set to run against her, but Ms Murnain would be expected to prevail in a tight vote.

Mr Nanva, who is also an ACTU vice-president, did not return calls yesterday.

A source close to him speculated he may turn down the job if it was offered to him.

“For a guy like Bob, it’s not exactly a promotion,” the source said. “(But) Bob’s been urged to do it.”

Ms Murnain said there would be a formal process to select the assistant secretary.

Mr Clements was forced to resign after he signed an undertaking at court, pledging he would not approach parliamentary staffer Stefanie Jones who he allegedly tried to kiss and push against a wall at state parliament last June.

Mr Clements has denied the allegations.

Mr Nanva has long been friends with Mr Dastyari, who battled with Mr Clements for control of the NSW Right in the federal caucus / Picture: James Horan

Senator Sam Dastyari.

Jamie Clements.