NSW Election: Tu Le on Labor’s final Cabramatta ballot as her branch votes to expel her

Tu Le, whose bid to run as a Labor candidate in Fowler was thwarted by the arrival of Kristina Keneally, has nominated for preselection for the state seat of Cabramatta.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese with Tu Le at a Fowler fundraiser in June 2021. Picture: Facebook

Vietnamese-Australian lawyer Tu Le, whose profile reached new heights when her bid to run as a Labor candidate in the southwest Sydney federal electorate of Fowler was thwarted by the arrival of Kristina Keneally, has nominated for preselection for the state seat of Cabramatta.

However, her party branch voted to expel her on Monday night for allegedly “bringing the ALP into disrepute”.

The community worker, who recently became a mother, has made the final five-person ballot to be Labor’s Cabramatta candidate which will be held on February 18 to replace retiring incumbent Nick Lalich.

Alongside Ms Le are two other former staffers to ex-Fowler MP Chris Hayes: Sera Yilmaz, and Adrian Wong. The final nominees are Kate Hoang and Tri Vo.

Ms Le recently took to Facebook to share how motherhood had helped “refocus her mission to contribute to a more equal society”.

Tu Le is on the final Labor preselection ballot for Cabramatta. Picture: John Feder

However, despite the fresh political push, at Monday’s Cabramatta branch meeting members voted to expel Ms Le from the branch 15-8, alleging she brought “the ALP into disrepute” by “backgrounding the media against endorsed candidates”.

A branch does not have the power to expel a party member and the vote was more of a symbolic move.

The Cabramatta ALP branch motion to expel Ms Le from the party.

The motion also noted recent media coverage surrounding Ms Le’s business receiving about $35,000 in grants while she was working as a staffer for Mr Hayes, where the electorate-based grants program was run.

The program’s guidelines require conflict of interest declarations and Ms Le previously told The Australian she was unsure if she had, but said it was “very clear” to panel members she was working for the MP. Ms Le declined to comment when approached.

Mayor Frank Carbone with Fowler federal MP Dai Le.

Cabramatta MP Nick Lalich speaks at the 50th anniversary school fete at Lansvale East Public in Lansvale, Sydney. Picture: Joel Carrett

Cabramatta is one of NSW Labor’s last remaining seats without a candidate and the party will look to endorse a candidate soon after February 18th’s ballot.

It is understood popular Fairfield mayor Carbone has received candidate forms and is weighing up weather to throw his hat in the ring as an independent.

There is less uncertainty over in nearby Fairfield, where it is understood former policeman David Saliba is the frontrunner to be installed as Labor’s candidate, replacing another retiring party stalwart, Guy Zangari.

Ms Le was approached but declined to comment, as did Mr Carbone.

News tip? Email [e-mail]