ALP Victoria’s open brawl escalates as UFU boss Peter Marshall calls for fundraising probe

UNITED Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall has launched an extraordinary new salvo into Labor’s preselection brawling by calling for an inquiry into party fundraising and memberships.

UNITED Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall has launched an extraordinary new salvo into Labor’s preselection brawling by calling for an inquiry into party fundraising and memberships.

Mr Marshall on Tuesday wrote to ALP state secretary Sam Rae calling for the party to investigate whether money raised at meetings in the southeast of Melbourne, including at events attended by Premier Daniel Andrews, had been properly declared.

He has asked the ALP to probe events including those held by “south east Labor” and “south east Labor Unity”.

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The UFU secretary took aim at rising powerbroker Adem Somyurek, who is strongly backing the preselection of Mr Marshall’s nemesis, Brunswick MP Jane Garrett, for a seat in state parliament.

But on Tuesday night Mr Somyurek hit back saying Mr Marshall’s “latest hare-brained conspiracy theory” has no basis in fact.

“He doesn’t like me because I support Jane Garrett. It’s pathetic,” he said.

“All funds received by any the fundraisers/events in question and which I was associated with have been declared in accordance with electoral law and party rules.

“I note that I was not associated with all of the events/fundraisers in question and they were held jointly by a number of MPs in the south east.”

UFU Victorian Secretary Peter Marshall. Picture: Mark Stewart

Earlier on Tuesday several Victorian union leaders turned up the heat on Mr Marshall over his bitter personal attacks on Ms Garrett.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary Luba Grigorovitch called on Mr Andrews to pull Mr Marshall into line after the UFU leader’s “aggressive and personal attacks”.

“Jane resigned as minister over two years ago but we are yet to see the end of this bitter and personal campaign,:

On Tuesday night senior Labor sources said Mr Marshall’s public attacks were damaging the Government and threatening both Bill Shorten and Daniel Andrews’ electoral prospects.

On Monday CFMMEU Victorian assistant secretary Shaun Reardon wrote to the Premier about his “absolute dismay and frustration” over the Brunswick MP’s treatment.

“I believe she has been ‘scapegoated’ by certain party members, assaulted near her family home, and is the victim of a misogynistic social media campaign,” Mr Reardon said.

“This campaign saw a tweet recently joking about the murder of Jane Garrett on the very same day that a memorial was being held for the sickening death of young woman Eury-dice Dixon.”

Mr Reardon said the party was investigating that issue.

CFMEU Victorian assistant secretary Shaun Reardon. Picture: Mark Stewart

Former Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett is at the centre of the proposed deal. Picture: David Caird

Hours later, the UFU’s branch committee of management hit back, calling the letter inflammatory and denying any links with the attacks on Ms Garrett it mentioned.

They also questioned why the CFMMEU backed Ms Garrett, comparing her to federal minister Michaelia Cash.

A factional peace deal had been thrashed out to stave off preselection threats across the party’s Right and Left wings.

One Right-wing union leader said Mr Marshall may have “bitten off more than he can chew” with Mr Reardon.

And Labor MPs were aghast at factional dealings being thrust into the spotlight so close to crucial federal by-elections and a state election.

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