Daniel Andrews urged to intervene in factional war after Kat Theophanous’ suspension

Daniel Andrews is being urged to intervene in a factional war that has exploded within Victorian Labor after Kat Theophanous was suspended from the party’s Right last week.

Premier Daniel Andrews is being urged to intervene in a factional war that has erupted within Victorian Labor. Picture: Tony Gough

Premier Daniel Andrews is being urged to intervene in a factional war that has erupted within the Victorian ALP.

Infighting erupted last week after Northcote MP Kat Theophanous was suspended from the Cons faction after making a pro-Cyprus speech in parliament.

There had been a push to expel her but an indefinite suspension was negotiated instead.

Ms Theophanous, a Cypriot Australian, made the pro-Cyprus speech earlier this month following a trip to the country.

The comments prompted fury among the ALP’s large Turkish base, and are understood to have infuriated senior minister Natalie Suleyman.

A motion to suspend Ms Theophanous was moved by minister Melissa Horne.

In a joint letter more than a dozen Greek and Cypriot based organisations this week urged Mr Andrews to intervene.

“It is unacceptable for Ms Theophanous to be suspended as punishment for her speech in parliament on the 49th Anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus,” they wrote.

Northcote Labor MP Kat Theophanous was suspended from the party’s Right last week.

“The speech was entirely in keeping with United Nations resolutions that call for the withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops and a peaceful, just, and viable Cyprus settlement negotiated through United Nations processes.

“The speech is also consistent with Australia’s official Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) position, held by every country bar Türkiye: ‘Australia supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and recognises the Republic as the only legitimate authority on the island. Australia does not recognise the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’.”

“Ms Theophanous description of the atrocities committed in her mother’s hometown of Asha by Turkish troops are personally felt and are fully documented. She had every right to speak of this in parliament without being punished for so doing.”

Signatories to the letter have urged Mr Andrews to confirm the government’s support of Cyprus and call for a reversal of Ms Theophanous’s suspension.

Mr Andrews is understood to have already privately acted on the matter, including speaking to Ms Horne over her role in the suspension.

Concerns have also been raised with Ms Horne by Greek Community Organisations.

Factional heavyweights have downplayed the suspension.

But several sources insist Ms Theophanous now faced an uncertain political future with no prospect of promotion unless she changed faction.