Another week goes by and we’re no closer to knowing what’s going on with former Labor leader in exile, David O’Byrne.
Liberal Member for Prosser Jane Howlett said it seems leader Rebecca White and her Labor colleagues are simply hiding from the O’Byrne matter, hoping it will go away.
“Everyone knows Ms White is a lame duck leader, and her comments this week have once again proved she has no say and no credibility,” Ms Howlett said.
“If Ms White can’t even run her own party, how can she run the State?
“In a revealing interview this week with ABC’s Leon Compton* Ms White was unable to answer a string of questions about who was actually running the show, further proving that she is leader in name only.
“When challenged by Mr Compton, Ms White was forced to admit that she had no idea whether local Labor branch members would have a say in local preselections, stating: “Well, these are matters that are better directed to our State Secretary Stuart Benson, Leon, to be fair.”*
“Labor’s State Secretary Stuart Benson subsequently confirmed that “The formal preselection process will be determined by our Special Branch Committee and the National Executive.” **
“This showed that, for all her previous ‘tough talk’ about David O’Byrne’s return, it’s clear that Ms White is a lame duck leader who is unable to make decisions about anything.
“No doubt Mr O’Byrne’s future will be a hot topic of discussion at next month’s National Labor Conference, which Mr O’Byrne will attend as the most popular delegate from the Tasmanian rank and file ballot.
“Tasmanian Labor is still in administration – and it’s clear that Labor’s National Executive will have the final say on Tasmanian Labor preselections.
“Even when she was asked whether she would like to stay in administration, Ms White said “Well, to be fair, it’s actually not my decision. That’s a decision for the National Executive.”*
“If Mr O’Byrne ends up being preselected for Labor in Franklin, it will make things very awkward for some Labor Members, given their previous comments.
“And what will it mean for Rebecca White and her future?
“Will Ms White follow through on her principles, and resign?”
* Rebecca White on Mornings with Leon Compton ABC radio, 25/7/23
** ALP state secretary Stuart Benson, in The Advocate 26/7/23
