Senior Labor MPs publicly endorse Chris Minns to end bruising ballot battle

Three senior NSW Labor MPs have publicly endorsed leadership hopeful Chris Minns over rival Michael Daley in a bid to stop a bruising battle between the pair that could further divide the party.

Upper house MPs Penny Sharpe and Daniel Mookhey and Campbelltown MP Greg Warren confirmed their support for Mr Minns on Tuesday, in an intervention to end the deadlock with former leader Mr Daley.

The declarations come in a bid to stop a costly ballot of rank-and-file members being forced on the party following last Friday’s resignation of Jodi McKay as leader. Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese is also preparing for a federal election, expected to be called later this year or early 2022. It is due one year before the next NSW poll.

Chris Minns and Michael Daley.Credit: Composite

One source close to Mr Daley, who could not speak on the record for fear of recrimination, said at least one MP had been told their pre-selection could be in jeopardy if they voted for Mr Daley when nominations open on Friday.

Ms Sharpe, who recently resigned from the opposition frontbench over a policy dispute, said she was a long time supporter of rank-and-file ballots, but said she did not believe it was the answer to Labor’s woes.

Labor MP Penny Sharpe has previously said destructive internal tactics only serve to harm the party’s chances of election victory.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

“It would be wrong for me not to say that I am concerned about the impact on the federal and local Labor campaigns,” she said.

Supporters of Mr Daley say the only fair way to resolve the impasse is by following party rules and holding the ballot.

But Ms Sharpe, who previously served as deputy to Mr Daley as leader, said she believed a drawn out campaign would only “further entrench division amongst my colleagues, not heal it”.

Campbelltown MP Greg Warren.Credit: Simon Bennett

She said Mr Minns was the best candidate to connect Labor to supporters they have lost and pitch policies “for those who have not voted Labor before.”

Mr Minns, who has contested the leadership twice before, announced on Monday he would nominate, insisting he was the best person to bring generational change. Mr Daley announced his candidacy on Sunday with a promise to heal the party.

Mr Warren, who voted against Mr Minns in both previous leadership contests, said he now believed the Kogarah MP represented Labor’s best chance at “party stabilisation” after a turbulent period.

“It’s not about personalities. I have the deepest respect for both Chris and Michael. This is about moving forward to ensure we are an effective opposition and a certain and viable alternative government.”

Mr Mookhey said Mr Minns understands the significance of the change required to win back the confidence of working people. “NSW Labor is struggling to connect with the middle class we ourselves built. We have to honestly recognise that the 10-year old Labor Opposition has to change,” he said.

“Chris Minns gets that NSW Labor must be the party of the future.”

MPs critical of Mr Minns’ third tilt at the top job said they did not want to see individual career agendas being rewarded at the cost of leadership continuity.

“Most branch members will be outraged at the idea you can be the architect of a downfall and then ask everyone to pull together and talk positive politics,” said one MP, on condition of anonymity because they did not want to influence any future ballot.

A special caucus meeting has been scheduled for Friday, when nominations for the leadership will officially open at 11am. Candidates will have 48 hours to produce at least 15 signatures each from caucus members to nominate.

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