Senior Labor figure, unionist Zach Smith blames ‘white-anters’ for Tasmanian election loss

Labor bloodletting has begun over the Tasmanian election result, with the national secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Energy Union letting rip.

CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Labor bloodletting has begun over the Tasmanian election, with a national senior party figure accusing “white-anters” of sabotaging the campaign.

Zach Smith, national secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Energy Union, told The Weekend Australian Labor lost the Tasmanian election due to traitors within the labour movement undermining leader Rebecca White.

“It’s unfathomable that some within the labour movement actively worked against the leadership, to give the Liberals a shot at more neglect, waste and chaos,” Mr Smith said.

“Unfortunately, the attacks on Rebecca were about nothing aside from personal agendas and egos.

“Rebecca courageously ran for premier three times despite being white-anted and torn down from within the labour movement. It’s disgusting and it should make all true believers sick.”

Mr Smith is a member of the ALP’s national executive and his comments suggest the party’s left is split on who is to blame for the campaign loss - and potentially over who should replace Ms White.

His comments follow revelations in The Weekend Australian on the eve of the March 23 election that Tasmania’s union chief, Jessica Munday, had a poster for an independent in her front garden, and none for any Labor candidates.

The Australian earlier revealed some left wing unions had provided the same independent – exiled former Labor leader David O’Byrne – with support for his successful campaign in the southern seat of Franklin.

Mr Smith said Ms White, who quit on Tuesday, was “the best premier Tasmania has never had”.

“The only reason she isn’t in the top job today is because of forces from within unions and the Labor Party that undermined Rebecca every step of the way,” he said.

“There are elements of the Tasmanian Labor Party that would actually prefer to be in opposition than getting behind a brilliant leader.

“Tasmania has a diabolical housing crisis, no industrial manslaughter laws and high levels of inequality. If there was ever a state that needs a Labor government, this is it.”

Labor is mulling its options to replace Ms White, with Dean Winter understood to be interested in the job and Josh Willie considering his options. Ella Haddad is being pushed as deputy or even leader.

Ms Munday has declined to comment on her support for Mr O’Byrne.