Katerine Theodosis is at the centre of a growing dispute within Labor’s Essendon branch after being chosen as the preferred candidate to replace retiring MP Danny Pearson.
The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) has backed Theodosis for the seat, with expectations her preselection will be referred to the party’s national executive, bypassing a local ballot, a move that has triggered a strong backlash from branch members.
At a meeting of more than 100 members, a motion passed with around 60% support calling for a genuine local vote and pledging to “not support in any way” a candidate who has not been selected by the branch.
Members also vowed to withhold campaign support, including corflutes and how-to-vote cards, and instead assist campaigns in neighbouring electorates.
The unrest has extended to internal union discussions, with leaked messages showing frustration among AWU members. One wrote: “This decision has just destroyed the AWU group in Essendon and Maribyrnong as a great power base for us.”
Another added: “After FEA elections and the last federal preslections we have treated party members with disdain. I for one with my supporters after being a supporter of this group for all my political life and a life member of the party can NO longer support the AWU.”
Despite the backlash, AWU state secretary Ronnie Hayden defended the process, saying it was a “transparent process giving everyone in our group who put their hand up an opportunity.”
“We had four very strong candidates come forward. All of which would make excellent candidates,” he said.
“After careful consideration, POSC has endorsed Katerine Theodosis.
“This will be a hard day for the candidates that missed out, and I want to thank you for having the courage to put your hand up, it was an extremely hard decision and we will move forward together.”
The dispute raises concerns for Labor’s campaign in what is considered a safe seat, with local resistance potentially forcing the party to rely on external support during the election.
Source: The Australian.
