Call for independent probe into ALP branch stacking

A FORMER Labor Party staffer  is refusing to co-operate with an internal ALP investigation.

A FORMER Labor Party staffer who claims he was part of systematic branch-stacking in Victoria is refusing to co-operate with an internal ALP investigation, and instead has challenged Premier John Brumby to set up an independent inquiry

Costas Socratous, who previously worked as an electoral officer for federal Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor and former Victorian industry minister Theo Theophanous, has alleged he paid the fees of hundreds of ALP members using cash and postal orders.

The former local councillor claims that up to $5500 a year was provided to him by the party to pay membership fees in Melbourne's western suburbs.

He says other MPs benefited from the branch stacking, including Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and former unionist Bill Shorten.

"I would never go into the shark's mouth of the Labor Party to be investigated," he told The Australian last night.

"If it is a police or ombudsman inquiry, that is OK.

"I want the truth out and to clear my name. I challenge John Brumby to have a proper independent inquiry."

But questions about the reliability of Mr Socratous have emerged after he confirmed he met with the Liberal Party before going to The Age newspaper with his allegations.

There are also claims that he asked the Labor Party for money after he was stood down following his evidence to the Victorian Ombudsman's inquiry into corruption at Brimbank Council.

Victorian parliamentary secretary Telmo Languiller -- whom Mr Socratous named as one ALP figure behind the alleged branch-stacking -- told state parliament at the start of the month that he spotted Mr Socratous walking into Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu's office.

"Mr Socratous is the Opposition Leader's Godwin Grech," he said then. "He is a troubled man who needs professional help, not political manipulation."

Mr Languiller, who denies all allegations of branch-stacking, also told parliament his former friend approached him for a $250,000 payout after he lost his job.

Opposition scrutiny-of-government spokesman David Davis has written to the Victorian Ombudsman and the Victorian and Australian Electoral Commissioners requesting urgent investigations.

"These allegations are serious -- they relate to corruption inside the ALP and real issues of corruption and integrity inside the Brumby government (and) they must be investigated," he said.

Victorian ALP state secretary Nick Reece said the party was conducting its own investigation into the allegations.

"I take these allegations very seriously. branch-stacking has no place in the ALP," he said.

Ms Gillard yesterday defended Mr Languiller, saying the allegations were hotly contested.