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Left to grab Victorian Labor’s top job

Jacinta Allan’s dominant Socialist Left faction tightens grip on Labor in ALP shakeup.

Labor Socialist Left powerbroker Steve Staikos. picture: Penny Stephens
Labor Socialist Left powerbroker Steve Staikos. picture: Penny Stephens

Socialist Left powerbroker Steve Staikos is poised to be appointed as the new chief of the Victorian ALP after the Right faction surrendered control of the top job.

In a significant internal power shift that tightens the Socialist Left’s control of the Victorian party at a federal and state level, the Right will relinquish control of the state secretary’s job.

The Australian has confirmed the administrative committee is set to rubber stamp the appointment of Mr Staikos as state secretary.

Labor sources describe the final sign off on the deal as a formality and the dominant Socialist Left, which includes Premier Jacinta Allan in its ranks, will assume control of the administrative wing.

“The Right has conceded that the position of state secretary must go to the Left, which has the numbers,” a source said.

The Australian can also reveal that well-regarded acting state secretary Cameron Petrie, who is a member of the Right, will not seek to be re-appointed as a party official and will leave Labor headquarters. It’s understood he will remain an active supporter of the ALP.

Mr Staikos is a veteran local councillor and mayor of Kingston Council, about 20km south of Melbourne, which takes in suburbs including Mentone, Pattersons Lakes, Noble Park, Keysborough and Springvale.

Mr Staikos’ political and social values are promoted on the council’s website which describes him as “passionate about social participation, multiculturalism, the environment and the arts”. “His priority policy areas include the Green Wedge, Sandbelt Open Space – Chain of Parks project, recycling, and the delivery of more social housing,” the council states.

Damon Johnston
Damon JohnstonMelbourne Bureau Chief

Damon Johnston has been a journalist for more than 35 years. Before joining The Australian as Victoria Editor in February 2020, Johnston was the editor of the Herald Sun - Australia's biggest selling daily newspaper - from 2012 to 2019. From 2008 to 2012, Johnston was the editor of the Sunday Herald Sun. During his editorship of the Herald Sun, the newspaper broke the story of Lawyer X, Australia's biggest police corruption scandal, which was recognised with major journalism awards in 2019. Between 2003 and 2008, Johnston held several senior editorial roles on the Herald Sun, including Chief-of-Staff and Deputy Editor. From 2000 to 2003, Johnston was the New York correspondent for News Corporation and covered major international events including the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the city. After joining the Herald Sun in 1992, Johnston covered several rounds including industrial relations, transport and state politics.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/left-to-grab-vic-labors-top-job/news-story/ebe4f9e3f093c51aafb140a9513b6cb8