Lily D’Ambrosio refuses to say whether she will stand aside if investigation is launched
Andrews government minister Lily D’Ambrosio has refused to say whether she will step down if an investigation is launched into branch-stacking allegations.
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Embattled minister Lily D’Ambrosio has refused to say whether she will stand aside if an investigation is launched into branch-stacking allegations.
The Energy Minister, who is one of Premier Daniel Andrews’ fiercest allies, faced a second day of questioning over dodgy practices, including the re-signing of party memberships of dead people at her former party branch, of which she is no longer a member.
Factional allies of Ms D’Ambrosio believe she is the victim of an internal Labor Party war over the future control of the party.
Ms D’Ambrosio, who some have viewed as a contender for the role of Deputy Premier if the position becomes available, said she had “absolutely not” been privately canvassing support for such a role.
Asked if she viewed herself as a future deputy, Ms D’Ambrosio said: “How this got any leaks in the media is beyond me”.
Ms D’Ambrosio refused to say whether she would stand aside in the event of a formal probe after the opposition referred the matter to the anti-corruption watchdog.
“I don’t deal with hypotheticals. Yesterday we had a bunch of inferences. They are what they are. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll keep working,” she said.
“I’ve got nothing to fear (about any potential investigation).”
A “root and branch” audit into party memberships, conducted by former Premier Steve Bracks and former federal deputy leader Jenny Macklin, resulted in 90 per cent of members leaving the Lalor South branch.
Asked whether there should be a separate investigation into why that occurred, Ms D’Ambrosio said: “That’s a matter for the Labor Party. Not me. Not Lily D’Ambrosio the Member for Mill Park. Not Lily D’Ambrosio the Minister.”
On Tuesday, The Australian reported that nine long-term members of that branch, who were ultimately removed following the probe, said they cannot recall paying for their memberships.
Ms D’Ambrosio said questions about the payment of membership fees is a matter for the Labor Party.
“I would suggest you direct that question to them,” she said.
“I don’t own a branch. No one owns a branch.”
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