Labor hard man Doug Cameron’s Tasmanian peace mission turns sour

Doug Cameron – parachuted in to stabilise the Tasmanian ALP – has been accused of instead stoking divisions and ‘breathtaking hypocrisy’.

Former NSW senator Doug Cameron in Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Doug Cameron – parachuted in to stabilise the Tasmanian ALP – has been accused of instead stoking divisions and “breathtaking hypocrisy” by attacking the Albanese government while demanding loyalty locally.

The former NSW senator is one of two administrators of the Tasmanian branch, installed by the party’s national executive last July to heal divisions that blew up the party’s 2021 state election campaign.

However, some members from across the factional divide are angry at what they claim is his support for disgraced former leader David O’Byrne to return to caucus.

Most of caucus, including leader Rebecca White, do not want Mr O’Byrne – in exile on the crossbench after sexual harassment ­allegations – to return, but he has strong support among Left unions and some rank and file.

Multiple members told The Australian that Mr Cameron had “forcefully” sought to persuade caucus members opposed to Mr O’Byrne’s return to change their minds, with some feeling pressured.

Mr O’Byrne has apologised for kissing and sending “sexually suggestive” text messages to a young female probationary staff member when he was a union leader in 2007-08. A Labor-commissioned report found Mr O’Byrne’s ­actions were “wrong” and “inappropriate” but did not breach party sexual harassment policy.

Some members are concerned rule changes flagged by Mr Cameron and fellow administrator Nick Sherry to resolve caucus disputes may be used to facilitate Mr O’Byrne’s return.

The final straw for some was an email sent to members by the two administrators last Monday. In it, Mr Cameron and Mr Sherry appeared to lambast members for talking to The Australian and urged unity.

“Public displays of disunity and lack of trust have diminished (in the branch), however recent media reports in the Murdoch press demonstrate that underlying tensions continue to simmer,” they say in the email.

While there remains broad support for Mr Sherry, several party members said they no longer supported Mr Cameron, particularly given his recent ­repeated attacks of the Albanese government in social and mainstream media.

Mr Cameron, seen as a member of the party’s “hard left”, made a series of tweets throughout March and April attacking federal Labor over the AUKUS-inspired nuclear submarine deal, and other policies.

Last Tuesday he tweeted that Labor politicians who had “previously marched for peace” had “become advocates for AUKUS, military expansionism and bombs before bread”.

A day later he revealed he had signed a letter to Anthony Albanese demanding federal Labor increase Jobseeker. “No use having nuclear subs if Australians are starving!” he tweeted.

Labor members said it was “unbelievable” and “breathtaking” for Mr Cameron to be preaching loyalty and unity, while being so divisive and disloyal. Mr Cameron did not comment.