New Tasmanian Labor leader David O’Byrne promises to rebuild support, as defeated rival calls for party reform

David O’Byrne has vowed to rebuild ‘faith and trust’ with lost supporters and to restore fractured party unity in Tasmania.

New Tasmanian Labor leader David O'Byrne. Picture: Chris Kidd

New Tasmanian Labor leader David O’Byrne has vowed to ­rebuild “faith and trust” with lost supporters and to restore fractured party unity, while also ­denying that he is “beholden” to powerbrokers.

The Left-backed 52-year-old former unionist and minister defeated his factionally unaligned challenger Shane Broad in a ballot of party membership and conference delegates that was counted on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Mr O’Byrne appeared to acknowledge Labor, which in May suffered its third consecutive state election loss, had to win back blue-collar, regional and other lost supporters.

“It’s no secret our primary vote is not strong enough; we know that we have to build confidence and trust with the Tasmanian community and build majority support for a Labor government,” he said.

“We know we have a lot of work to do in every corner of the state. We need to be focused on the issues that the Tasmanian people want us to be focused on. We need to listen.”

Mr O’Byrne addressed what party elders and others across the factions have described as a “winner takes all” approach by several dominant Left faction union leaders. “It’s no surprise at this point in the cycle where we have lost a few elections, where people are concerned about the future of the party, and people want us to be better,” he said.

“I welcome their comments. I welcome their commitment to work with us to build unity. In my conversations over the past couple of weeks … there is a renewed commitment to unity.”

Mr O’Byrne, a former Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union leader, defeated Dr Broad, an agricultural scientist, after winning 72 per cent of the rank-and-file vote and 75 per cent of the party conference delegate vote.

Dr Broad, who during the leadership campaign railed against hard-Left powerbrokers and the party’s inability to win the political middle ground, pledged loyalty to Mr O’Byrne. He vowed to continue to push party reform.

“It’s clear the party needs some balance,” he said. “But the result is what it is and … I want David to succeed. I’m a team player. I’ll never shy away from discussing the big issues and there’s no doubt the party needs reform.”

He said he hoped a review of state party governance being overseen by the party’s national executive would bring change. “I think everybody in the party should have their say and participate,” Dr Broad said.

Mr O’Byrne called on party president and fellow Left faction figure Ben McGregor to stand down, pending a review of his conduct in threatening to sue former leader Rebecca White after she insisted he step down as an election candidate for sending “vulgar” text messages.