Chris Minns responds to ‘treacherous’ comments from CFMEU-backed Labor colleague

It was revolt averted as Cameron Murphy used special permission to address Labor’s state conference to break ranks in a speech opposing bail laws that saw him branded an ‘idiot’.

NSW Premier Chris MInns (main) and rogue MP Cameron Murphy (inset). Pictures: News Corp/Supplied

Premier Chris Minns has insisted he won’t get in a slanging match with a rebel party colleague, while fending off Opposition calls to sack the CFMEU-linked MP from the caucus.

The Premier’s comments come after Upper House Labor MP Cameron Murphy headed an attack on youth bail laws and protest laws ushered in or supported by the Minns Government, in a fiery address at Sunday’s NSW Labor Party conference.

In that address to the party, Mr Murphy said “it shouldn’t be the case that a Labor government allows these laws that suppress and stifle protest to exist”.

Mr Minns on Monday said Mr Murphy’s stance was “unfortunate” and labelled his Labor colleague’s statement as “interesting because” it was “rare”.

“We want to have a united team. We’re very proud of our policy changes,” he said.

“His statements are interesting because they’re rare. It’s not a daily occurrence.”

Premier Chris Minns arrives at the conference. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard

MP Cameron Murphy.

Mr Murphy previously broke party ranks last year when he demanded the government pursue pill testing, after the Premier had ruled out the move.

The Premier also ruled out taking any disciplinary action against the first-term MP.

“There’s nothing the people of NSW like less than a government or political party that’s just talking about themselves endlessly, particularly when you’ve got so much economic pressure on households in the state,” he said.

“We’re united, we’ve got an ambitious agenda, the only way we’re going to enact that agenda is to do it in the united way … For me, I’ve not been part of the Labor Party in my eight, nine years in parliament where we have been this united.”

The comments come as opposition Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope called for the Premier to sack Mr Murphey from the Labor caucus if the MP did not resign from the CFMEU.

“Mr Minns has a decision to make, either a member of the Labor Party in his caucus can remain a member of the Labor Party or they can remain a member of the CFMEU and Mr Minns should make that decision today,” Mr Tudehope said.

“It is a test for Mr Minns if he wants to show he has the integrity of a Premier … about the way he runs government or one who caves in to the CFMEU.”

LABOR MP BREAKS RANKS WITH OWN GOVT

A Labor MP elected to parliament with help from the now-suspended CFMEU construction division has extraordinarily broken ranks with his own government over protest laws in an explosive speech slammed by a number of colleagues as “treacherous”.

Labor’s state conference erupted on Sunday when the party’s Left faction tried to force the government to overturn tough anti-protest laws, and reverse bail changes designed to crack down on youth crime.

Chris Minns saw off the rank and file revolt in his own party after a schism erupted over anti-protest laws and new bail laws for young people who steal cars and break into homes.

Speaking to the motion, Upper House MP Cameron Murphy urged Premier Chris Minns to make it easier for protesters to shut down major roads.

“It shouldn’t be the case that a Labor government allows these laws that suppress and stifle protest to exist,” he said, referring to Coalition laws Labor supported from Opposition.

Health Services Union boss Gerard Hayes said the anti-protest laws did not prevent lawful protest. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Mr Murphy was forced to seek special permission to address the conference: he lost his speaking rights when the militant CFMEU construction division was suspended from the ALP earlier this month.

Multiple Labor MPs slammed Mr Murphy for breaking ranks, variously describing him as an “idiot,” and “treacherous.” Left faction sources downplayed Mr Murphy’s contribution.

Labor members from the party’s left faction attempted to force Premier Chris Minns to reverse his youth bail laws through a motion at the ALP conference on Sunday. They also attempted to pass a motion forcing the Premier to repeal anti-protest laws.

Nearly half of the party delegates gathered at Sydney’s Town Hall, applauded as Labor members called the tightened bail laws “a kick in the guts to Indigenous communities”, arguing they would disproportionately affect First Nations youth.

The government introduced legislation in March amending the bail act to include a temporary test for young people between the ages of 14 and 18 who commit break and enters and vehicle thefts while out on bail.

Labor members shouted “shame” as Attorney-General Michael Daley defended the laws, saying they were necessary to defend residents who lived in fear of being attacked in their homes.

Labor Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne said the policy of “locking up black kids” would not solve social disadvantage or fix the problems of youth crime in regional communities.

Members supporting the bail laws overturned the motion, with Moree Labor member Meryl Dillion telling the conference that the people of Moree desperately needed the bail laws.

“Every night there are cars and motorbikes raging around our streets, people are having their houses broken into and being battered in their own homes,” she said.

“We had an old man who was dying of cancer who was assaulted in his bed and had to spend days in hospital recuperating.

“Our communities are suffering and they need some sort of break.”

Health Services Union boss Gerard Hayes said the anti-protest laws did not prevent lawful protest but worked to stop irresponsible behaviour of protesters blocking roads which in turn prevents paramedics from doing their jobs.

“The irresponsible attitude of blocking the Sydney Harbour Bridge when an ambulance is trying to get a child to hospital … I don’t find that acceptable,” he said.

Left faction members also called for the government to implement a charter of human rights. The motion was defeated.