Tensions flare as Labor MP stands up to Dan

A Labor MP has blasted the Premier and cabinet colleagues over federal election results in a tense party meeting behind closed doors.

Internal tensions boiled to the surface in Daniel Andrews’ team this week with one Minister blowing up at the Premier and cabinet colleagues in front of other Labor MPs.

The Herald Sun has learnt Corrections Minister Natalie Hutchins hit out at her party during a caucus meeting that included the Labor leader and colleagues.

It came just minutes after Mr Andrews spoke about the election of Anthony Albanese and the looming state poll in November.

The Premier is believed to have talked up the Labor wins in federal electorates but said that some booths in usually safe Labor suburbs had swung against the party. “The message was that we have a powerful story to tell and should do so in those areas,” one MP in the room said.

But Ms Hutchins surprised colleagues when she stood up and suggested Labor had “gone back” in the federal election in these areas and mentioned support for Kororoit in her criticism.

Corrections Minister Natalie Hutchins has hit out at the Premier and her cabinet colleagues over federal election results in the western suburbs. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

She said ministers were not visiting the western suburbs, where swings had been ­recorded at booths, enough.

One Labor MP, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Herald Sun Ms Hutchins’ speech had caused a stir among colleagues.

“She accused us of not visiting the west and that’s just not the case,” they said.

“It was also pointed out that Ingrid Stitt had been in the area recently. As a Sydenham MP and Minister herself, she could be out there as much as anyone else.”

Another colleague said fellow MPs were perplexed by Ms Hutchins’ reference to Kororoit.

Counting for the federal election is still under way but two polling booths in Sydenham swung against Labor, by 9.6 per cent and 15.8 per cent.

However, the party still ­attracted more than 41 per cent of the primary vote in these areas. However, former Labor Party MP Adem Somyurek has also warned the federal results were not as positive as they seem. He said in Victoria Labor’s primary vote in the federal election had dropped 3.9 per cent, compared to 0.5 per cent in other states. He blamed the decline on “virulent anti-Andrews sentiment”.

This week pollster Kos ­Samaras, a former Labor state secretary, said there were warning signs for the party at the next election.

He said there was angst over the effects of the pandemic in seats that were normally safe for Labor and that MPs should start campaigning now. Both major parties ­appeared to have lost primary support as voters turned to ­independents or minor parties with their first preferences.

However, one right-aligned powerbroker hit back at Ms Hutchins.

“It is destabilising behaviour,” the person said.