Tasmanian ALP set to dump ex-leader David O’Byrne to topple last Liberal domino

A former Labor leader appears set to be dumped by the party to ‘clear the decks’ and boost its chances of taking the last holdout against its national domination: Tasmania.

Former Tasmanian Labor leader David O'Byrne. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A former Labor leader appears set to be dumped by the party to “clear the decks” and boost its chances of taking the last holdout against its national domination: Tasmania.

Multiple well-placed sources told The Weekend Australian it was almost certain the ALP’s national executive would block preselection of former state leader David O’Byrne for the next state election.

Mr O’Byrne was cast into political limbo in July 2021, after resigning the leadership and effectively being ejected from caucus in the wake of sexual harassment claims.

He had 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 his conduct was “inappropriate” and “wrong” but did not breach party sexual harassment policy.

Mr O’Byrne, 54, remains a member of the party and is understood to want Labor preselection for his seat of Franklin for the state election, to be called within 24 months.

Some of Mr O’Byrne’s opponents believe there has been a concerted effort in recent months by his backers – prominent Left wing unionists and party powerbrokers – to rehabilitate his image ahead of preselection.

These include Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday, who was “pleased” to have Mr O’Byrne attend the March meeting of Labor’s Kingborough branch, of which she is secretary.

Mr O’Byrne would not comment. His supporters are hoping senior party figures – including current leader Rebecca White – will drop their opposition to his preselection “in the interests of the party”.

That appears extremely unlikely. Ms White, who has publicly called on Mr O’Byrne to leave parliament and is among members of the parliamentary Labor Party blocking his return to caucus, would not comment.

Several sources said Mr O’Byrne’s fate would ultimately fall to the national executive, which would almost certainly block his preselection, believing his presence as a Labor candidate would undermine Ms White and see Labor’s campaign degenerate into the kind of civil war that cruelled its chances at the 2021 state election.

Tasmania’s ALP is under federal control under an intervention aimed at ending bitter infighting. Any decision on Mr O’Byrne would take into account the views of the administrators, former senators Doug Cameron and Nick Sherry, as well as Ms White, state secretary Stuart Benson and national secretary Paul Erikson. None would comment.

Sources said preselections would be conducted by the administrating committee, which operates on a consensus basis. Given that the committee includes Ms White, as well as members of the Right opposed to Mr O’Byrne, consensus would be impossible. That would leave the decision to the national executive.

In recent days, Left powerbroker Carol Brown posted a photograph with Mr O’Byrne, who also appeared onstage at an April 1 function with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for Tasmanian Labor’s 120th anniversary.

At the same function, Mr O’Byrne was photographed with Left wing union leaders, including Community and Public Sector Union regional secretary Zac Batchelor, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state organiser Jacob Batt, and Australian Services Union organiser Samantha Batchelor. None of those involved responded to questions.

Mr O’Byrne’s supporters argue he is a skilled fighter for working people with strong community links who should be part of Labor’s team, and has already paid a price for past mistakes.