Labor kicks off review of 2021 state election failure
The Labor Party has launched one of its broadest ever post-election reviews, with the party’s governance and structure also facing strict scrutiny. LATEST >>
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A FAR-REACHING review has begun into the Labor Party’s performance at the state election, including the debacle that saw former Kingborough mayor Dean Winter rejected, then endorsed and go on to be elected in Franklin.
The party’s president, Ben McGregor, was also endorsed in Clark, but was forced to quit by Labor leader Rebecca White over complaints about text messages he sent to a female colleague six years ago, but said he had apologised for.
The review will consider Labor’s electoral performance and the party’s governance and structure.
While the party always holds a review after elections, this is one of the broadest in recent times.
The terms of reference for the electoral performance include “the process for the identification and selection of candidates” and “the activities of the leader’s office, party officials, trade unions and membership during the campaign”.
Mr Winter, who topped the poll for Labor in Franklin, welcomed the review.
“While it is standard process to review an election campaign, reviewing party structures and governance is not,” Mr Winter said.
“This is a great opportunity to ensure the party is well structured and well governed.
“The Tasmanian branch of the Labor Party is a critical organisation for Tasmania.
“Tasmanians want (to) have viable options at every election. We have to demonstrate we are ready to govern Tasmania at the next election by having a contemporary, professional governance structure in place that ensures good decision making.”
The party’s rules and accountability of the powerful administrative committee and state parliamentary wing to branch members will also come under the microscope, as will the role and responsibilities of the state secretary.
The Liberals were elected for a historic third term, winning 13 seats, and Labor nine.
The review will be conducted by former New South Wales state MP Verity Firth, former Queensland state secretary Evan Moorehead and former West Australian assistant secretary Lenda Oshalem.
Labor Party members will have the chance to make written submissions and also will be able to speak at forums to put forward their opinions and recommendations to the campaign review committee.
The party says the review will have two phases.
Phase one is aimed at maximising the party’s performance at the next federal election, where Labor holds the seats of Franklin and Lyons, and is due to be implemented by the end of this year.
Phase two is directed at reforming the branch to win the next state election, due in 2025, and should be in place by June 30 next year.
Labor ‘has questions to answer’ over investigation
The Liberals have demanded answers about the progress of Labor’s internal investigations into allegations against two senior party figures.
Liberal Member for Braddon Felix Ellis says the public needed to know what was happening with claims levelled against David O’Byrne and Ben McGregor.
Mr O’Byrne quit as Labor leader last week after admitting misconduct involving a junior employee during his time as a union leader in 2007.
Mr McGregor, Labor’s state president, stood down as a candidate before the recent state election after being accused of sending inappropriate text messages.
Mr Ellis demanded answers.
“Acting Labor Leader Anita Dow needs to update Tasmanians on Labor’s internal investigations regarding claims against Member for Franklin, David O’Byrne and State President, Ben McGregor,” he said.
“Is the President still threatening legal action against resurrected Labor leader Rebecca White?
“What are the outcomes of the investigation into the claims Mr McGregor sent inappropriate messages to a former female colleague?
“Why is it taking so long for Labor to conduct an investigation into Mr O’Byrne when he has admitted his behaviour did not meet the standard expected of himself?”
- Labor on the hunt for a new leader as David O’Byrne quits amid harassment scandal
- Former Tasmanian Liberal MP to plead guilty to possessing handgun, ammo
The Liberals faced scrutiny in the lead-up to the election campaign after allegations against Mr Ellis’ running mate in Braddon Adam Brooks.
Premier Peter Gutwein repeatedly batted away media questions about whether Mr Brooks had conducted relationships on via dating sites under false names.
Mr Brooks quit after being elected. He has indicated his intention to plead guilty to criminal
charges in Queensland.
Mr Ellis said Labor should be more accountable for its internal problems.
“Given Labor’s chaotic factional war has only grown worse in recent weeks, is Labor’s National Executive still planning to take over management of the Tasmanian Labor Party?*
“While Labor might be distracted shuffling deck chairs on its same old sinking ship, it has questions to answer.
“The acting leader needs to step up and provide an update.”
Labor Party state secretary Stuart Benson has previously stated he would not comment on the investigation.
In other politics news...
Government hails multi-million dollar boost to cancer treatment
THE state’s brand-new state-of-the-art, linear accelerator will help improve treatment for cancer patients, Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said
Officially commissioning the new machine at the W.P. Holman Clinic, Mr Rockliff said it would provide clinicians an opportunity to design the best and most precise treatment plans.
Invented during the 1950s as a way to focus high-energy beams of radiation, medical linear accelerators deliver highly accurate treatment for patients, making them an essential and integral part of any modern cancer facility.
In 2019, the state government announced it had awarded tenders for $28 million worth of upgrades to the state’s oncology equipment.
The spending included new four new Linear Accelerators – two for the WP Holman Clinic at the Launceston General Hospital and two for the WP Holman Clinic at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
The first was installed in Launceston last year.
The government has also promised a second linear accelerator at the North-West Regional Hospital — investing $8.1 million over the next four years to operate and staff.
Mr Rockliff thanked staff who worked in the W.P. Holman clinic and said the new equipment would make life easier for the 750 patients who receive treatment at the clinic each year.
“Through the investment of more modern equipment that supports our world-class clinicians, fewer patients will need to travel to the mainland to receive treatment,” he said.
“This means so much not only to those who need the treatment, but also their family, their friends and carers who support them.
“We know there have been increasing demands for radiation oncology in Tasmania and delivering on our 2019 commitment to upgrade the state’s radiation oncology equipment is another step forward achieving a better health system for all Tasmanians.
The equipment was funded State and Federal Government’s Commonwealth Radiation Oncology Health Program.
Voluntary assisted dying forums scheduled across Tassie
THE Tasmanian politician who introduced voluntary assisted dying legislation that later passed both houses of parliament will soon begin a series of forums across the state.
Beginning on Wednesday, Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney will present to communities to provide an update on the legislation and the next steps.
The laws passed both houses of parliament in March this year as Tasmania became the third Australian state — after Victoria and Western Australia — to allow voluntary assisted dying.
Mr Gaffney said community forums had been offered to all council areas, with Glenorchy, Huon Valley, Kingborough, Latrobe, Waratah-Wynyard, Central Coast, Kentish and King Island so far confirming a desire to co-ordinate them.
The sessions will go for 75 minutes, with Mr Gaffney to give an overview of the legislation.
It is expected the voluntary assisted dying process for eligible Tasmanians will begin in mid-to-late 2022.
“Giving the opportunity for Tasmanians to attend information forums regarding the End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Act is a very important part of the process,’’ Mr Gaffney said.
“In February 2020, I introduced the draft Bill to encourage Tasmanians to become involved in the conversation.
“Alongside Jac and Nat Gray of Your Choice Tasmania and Dying with Dignity Tasmania, the community was invited to participate and individuals made it clear that they believed that all people deserved the right to choose.”
Mr Gaffney said he had also recently presented forums on the topic to 14 Tasmanian colleges and to the 2021 Youth Parliament delegates.
FORUM SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, July 14 — Glenorchy, 10am at Golden Years Club
Thursday, July 22 — King Island, 7pm
Friday, July 23 — King Island, 10am
Wednesday, July 28 — Huon Valley, 6pm at Huon Valley Hub
Thursday, July 29 — Kingborough, 6.30pm at Community Hub
Friday, August 6 — Kentish, 2pm at Sheffield Town Hall
Monday, August 9 — Latrobe, 7pm at Latrobe Memorial Hall
Tuesday, August 10 — Central Coast, 10am at Ulverstone Sports and Leisure Centre
Tuesday, August 10 — Waratah-Wynyard, 2pm at Waratah-Wynyard Council Chambers
Shock figures reveal how long we’re waiting for ambulances
New figures have revealed the average ambulance response times in Tasmania, showing that we’re at the back of the pack nationwide.
Tassie music icon Tony Voglino remembered
There has been an outpouring of tributes for popular Tassie rocker Tony Voglino, who is being remembered for his impact on the state’s music scene.