LABOR members are expected to flood October’s Hobsons Bay Council election.
Six Labor branches have decided not to endorse candidates formally, and to cap the number of supported ALP candidates standing in each ward. But unsupported Labor candidates may still run and, under party rules, they must preference each other.
The Weekly understands bitter rivalry within the ALP is partly responsible for the decision to have ALP-supported but not fully endorsed candidates.
A source told the Weekly they would “rather stab myself in the eye” than vote for certain Labor colleagues.
Endorsement would have resulted in Labor councillors being forced to vote in bloc as a caucus at council meetings.
Monday night’s ALP branch meeting at Senator Stephen Conroy’s Newport office was convened by Altona North ward councillor Michael Raffoul and Altona Meadows ward councillor Luba Grigorovitch.
Cr Raffoul, of Bill Shorten and Senator Conroy’s faction (the Short Cons), is secretary of the Kingsville ALP branch, while Cr Grigorovitch, of the socialist left, is secretary of the Altona branch.
Newport, Hoppers Crossing, Williamstown and Yarraville branch members also attended.
ALP-supported candidates standing for election will be capped at three in Strand ward (Spotswood, Newport, Williamstown and Williamstown North) and two in each of Cherry Lake (Altona, Altona North and Brooklyn) and Wetlands (Altona Meadows, Seabrook and Laverton) wards.
Williamstown ALP branch president Godfrey Moase and member Olly Tripodi indicated their interest by a show of hands in running for council in Strand ward, as did Spotswood ward ALP councillor Bill Tehan and ex-mayor Brad Matheson.
The Weekly believes Brooklyn Residents Action Group member Charlie Volpe and Cr Raffoul – both ALP members – will stand for Cherry Lake ward, as will independent Altona ward councillor and mayor Tony Briffa.
Cr Grigorovitch, Seabrook ward councillor John Hogg, ex-mayor Carl Marsich and former candidate Jason Murray indicated their intention to stand for Wetlands ward.
In total, 16 ALP members indicated they could be vying for seven positions on the council.
Independent Williamstown ward councillor Angela Altair said she had not decided whether to stand. Independent Williamstown North ward councillor Peter Hemphill did not respond.
