Internal tension among Labor stoking fears of seat losses

Feuding within Labor has sparked uproar among some party strategists, with sources saying fears are growing over a string of seats.

Premier Daniel Andrews and his private office have been forced to defend campaign funding decisions internally to ease Labor tensions ahead of November’s election.

The Herald Sun can reveal feuding within the party has sparked a fracas among some Labor strategists, with sources saying there is concern about losing a string of seats.

A split has emerged over the Premier’s Private Office and their role in the campaign, with internal criticism over where funding announcements have been made.

Sections of the party’s left and right wings have become frustrated the office still has too much say over announcements while the election is just six weeks away.

This has prompted complaints of favouritism and accusations that other candidates in marginal seats are being neglected.

A series of funding commitments in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs and southeast prompted internal complaints that electorates in the city’s north and west were being neglected.

The conflict first emerged after a handful of staffers within the PPO drafted the party’s election platform.

Premier Daniel Andrews has been forced to defend campaign funding decisions. Picture: David Geraghty

Traditionally, this document is written after consultation with members and unions but the first version of the document was instead written by government staffers.

The document triggered an uproar among union figures who complained the PPO was shutting out other perspectives.

Since then, election policy announcement have sparked further internal disputes as candidates push for more in the north and in regions around Bellarine Peninsula which have become marginal after redistribution.

One Labor figure, who asked to remain anonymous, accused the office of favouritism towards candidates before the party could take full control of the campaign on November 1.

“The line between an election commitment and a government announcement is now starting to blur,” he said.

“When that’s the environment, it’s no surprise that candidate who haven’t had a single event in their seat are asking why they are missing out.”

Yan Yean, in Melbourne’s north, is among those electorates which have emerged as a flashpoint.

The once-safe Labor electorate includes the suburb of Beveridge which was targeted heavily by the Coalition in the federal election and was one of the few areas to swing towards the Liberals.

In the west, the typically safe seat of Melton is thought to be in danger while nearby Werribee and Point Cook are also expected to be close calls.

South Barwon and Bellarine have come target seats while the party is under threat from the Greens in Northcote, Richmond and Albert Park.

One source familiar with internal discussions said the premier had moved to reassure party insiders that commitments would be share equally.

Its understood he denied accusations internally that he was more focused on the south east than other regions.

Those within the government maintain that it is unfair to judge spending until the campaign is further advanced.

Others have insisted internal party tensions will relax once the election begins in full, bringing campaign decisions “under one roof”.

A government spokeswoman said:

“Labor is doing what matters for all Victorians.”

Prior to the November 26 poll, the party’s election commitments will be reviewed by the Department of Treasury and Finance.

A Labor financial statement will also be released by Treasurer Tim Pallas before polling day.