Leaked Labor leader’s letter sealed David O’Byrne’s rejection as Franklin candidate

With talk of an early election gathering momentum, a leaked letter shows the Labor Party is still divided over whether David O’Byrne should have been endorsed as a candidate for Franklin.

David O'Byrne member for Franklin. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The fall-out over the Labor Party’s rejection of former leader David O’Byrne as a candidate continues with a leaked letter revealing Rebecca White’s captain’s picks for the seat of Franklin.

In the letter, leaked to the Sunday Tasmanian, it is clear that Labor’s special branch committee was divided on whether Mr O’Byrne should be endorsed as a candidate for Franklin.

“I note the unanimous agreement of the committee to endorse candidates in the electorates of Bass, Braddon, Clark and Lyons, and support that decision,” she wrote.

“I further note the committee did not unanimously agree on a list of candidates to be endorsed in the electorate of Franklin, and requested a determination be made by the national executive.

“I wish to advise that I believe the following candidates should be endorsed: Ebony Altimira, Simon Bailey, Megan Brown, Kaspar Deane, Phil Pregnall, Toby Thorpe and Dean Winter.”

David O'Byrne member for Franklin. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Labor leader Rebecca White. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The candidates were subsequently endorsed by national executive and announced on December 1.

While Mr O’Byrne’s nomination was rejected, Ms Brown, who works for him was endorsed.

The letter was written four days after the special Tasmanian committee meeting on November 26.

Mr O’Byrne quit as leader in July 2021 after just two weeks in the job.

He has sat on the crossbench in parliament and has not been part of the Parliamentary Labor Party since 2021, after he was accused of misconduct by a former female union colleague a decade earlier.

A report cleared him of sexual harassment and found he had not breached any Labor Party rules.

Leaked letter from Labor leader Rebecca White on Franklin candidates.

Ms White stands by her decision on the Franklin candidates.

“I have been clear for years about my position regarding David O’Bryne and no one should be surprised that I maintained this view throughout the Labor party’s pre-selection process,” she said.

“The Labor party has endorsed candidates across the state to contest the next state election and I am excited that we have the best candidates and a strong plan with the right priorities to address challenges with the cost of living, health and housing in Tasmania.”

Mr O’Byrne is still considering his future in the party.

“It’s for other people to comment on the decisions and calls made by Rebecca, but I suppose history will be the ultimate judge,” he said.

“All I can say is how sad I am that it has come to this and there wasn’t more of an effort made to work our way through this and find a resolution.”

Originally published as Leaked Labor leader’s letter sealed David O’Byrne’s rejection as Franklin candidate