NSW LABOR POLITICAL BRIEFING Report from the Administrative Committee Meeting APRIL 2014 1. STATE PRESELECTIONS – ROUND 4 Nominations are called for rank-and-file preselections in the following state seats: Blue Mountains Heathcote Drummoyne Holsworthy East Hills Lismore Epping Newcastle Granville Seven Hills The timetable is as follows: Nominations open: 2pm, Friday 4 April 2014 Nominations close: 2pm, Friday 11 April 2014 Local Credentialing: Saturday 26 April 2014 Challenges Close: 5pm Tuesday 29 April 2014 Ballot (if necessary): Saturday 10 May 2014 Nomination Fee: $500 All nominations must be on the official form, which can be obtained from the NSW Party Office. Nominations will be accepted by the General Returning Officer at the NSW Party Office, Level 9, 377–383 Sussex St, Sydney. Pre Poll Voting (if necessary), for the above seats will only be available at the NSW Party Office, Level 9, 377–383 Sussex St, Sydney at the following times: • 10.00am to 12.00noon on Monday 5 May 2014 • 12.00noon to 2.00pm on Tuesday 6 May 2014 • 2.00pm to 4.00pm on Wednesday 7 May 2014 Please Note: There is no postal voting. 2. STATE COMMUNITY PRESELECTIONS – ROUND 2 – CAMPBELLTOWN AND NEWTOWN The community preselections for Campbelltown and Newtown were held between Monday 10 March and Saturday 29 March 2014. 2014 Political Briefing #2 1 Almost 2700 Labor Party and community members participated in both preselection processes – almost 1600 voters in Newtown and 1100 voters in Campbelltown. Turnout for the ballot was driven by both the NSW Labor Office and local campaign teams. Penny Sharpe (Newtown) and Greg Warren (Campbelltown) were the successful candidates and have subsequently been endorsed by the Administrative Committee. NSW Labor would like to thank all of the candidates – Penny Sharpe, Sean Macken, Natalie Gould, Greg Warren, Ian Fulton and Brendan Whitehouse as well as their campaign teams for helping to make this process a success. 3. STATE PRESELECTIONS – ROUND 3 At the close of nominations for State Preselections – Round Two, the following nominations were received: Bega Leanne Atkinson Canterbury Linda Burney Mulgoa Todd Carney Jacinta Petroni Oatley O’Bray Smith Penrith Emma Husar Port Stephens Kate Washington Rockdale Steve Kamper South Coast Fiona Phillips Summer Hill Jo Haylen The above candidates in uncontested ballots have subsequently been endorsed as Labor Candidates at the 2015 State Election A preselection ballot to determine the Labor candidate for the State electorate of Oatley will take place on Saturday 5 April 2014. Pre Poll Voting will only be available at the NSW Branch Office, Level 9, 377–383 Sussex St, Sydney at the following times: • 10.00am to 12.00noon on Monday 31 March 2014 • 12.00noon to 2.00pm on Tuesday 1 April 2014 • 2.00pm to 4.00pm on Wednesday 2 April 2014 Please Note: There is no postal voting. 4. STATE COMMUNITY PRESELECTIONS – ROUND 3 At the close of nominations, the following nominations were received: Balmain Darcy Byrne 2014 Political Briefing #2 2 Verity Firth The preselections will take place according to the following timetable: Branch members In person voting: 9am – 5pm, Saturday 3 May 2014 Postal voting opens: 9am, Monday 14 April 2014 Postal voting closes: 5pm, Wednesday 30 April 2014 Pre Poll Voting will be available for Party members at the NSW Party Office, Level 9, 377–383 Sussex St, Haymarket at the following times: • 10.00am to 2.00pm on Monday 28 April 2014 • 10.00am to 2.00pm on Tuesday 29 April 2014 • 12noon to 4.00pm on Wednesday 30 April 2014 Community members Postal and online voting opens: 9am, Monday 14 April 2014 Postal and online voting closes: 5pm, Wednesday 30 April 2014 In person voting: 9am – 5pm, Saturday 3 May 2014 5. STATE PRESELECTIONS – EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST At the December Administrative Committee meeting, expressions of interest were called for Party members interested in contesting the following seats at the 2015 NSW State Election. Albury Hornsby Upper Hunter Barwon Ku-ring-gai Vaucluse Baulkham Hills Lane Cove Wagga Wagga Castle Hill Manly Wakehurst Clarence Murray Coffs Harbour Myall Lakes Cootamundra North Shore Cronulla Northern Tablelands Davidson Orange Dubbo Oxley Pittwater Willoughby Goulburn Port Macquarie Hawkesbury Tamworth The expressions of interest period will close on 31 May 2014. Party members interested in contesting these seats should contact the NSW Labor Party Office on (02) 9207 2000 between 8.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. 2014 Political Briefing #2 3 6. NSW 2015 STATE ELECTION – ONE YEAR TO GO Friday 28 March 2014 marked one year until the next State Election. NSW Labor will spend the next 12 months actively campaigning across the state, holding the Liberals to account over the broken promises and deep cuts that have hurt the community. In Opposition, Barry O’Farrell released a signed contract with the people of NSW and said: “If we’re elected hold us to account for it. And if we don’t deliver, kick us out.” (Barry O’Farrell, 16 March 2011, Radio 2UE) After three years, it is clear that Barry O’Farrell and the Liberals have broken their contract. In fact, the Liberals have shown such little regard for their contract that they have even removed their “contract with NSW” website. That is why NSW Labor has relaunched the website, highlighting the broken promises and failures of the O’Farrell Liberal Government. Party members are encouraged to visit the website and share it with their family and friends. You can visit the site at www.contractwithnsw.com.au. 7. VALE – MARY IFFLAND Mary Iffland was a committed Labor member and active trade union activist all of her working life. Mary came from a very active Labor family. Her husband Martin and their children have played a pivotal role in the Sutherland Shire. Martin was a McKell Award winner, her son Tony was a Labor candidate for Miranda and her grand-daughter Kate was Secretary of NSW Young Labor. Mary’s commitment to the Labor Party was an inspiration to all. A large representation of Party and trade union members paid their respects at her funeral. She will be sorely missed. 8. VALE PATRICIA (PAT) RIORDAN Pat Riordan was the wife of the late Hon. Joe Riordan, Federal Member for Phillip and Whitlam Government Minister, and the mother of Bernie Riordan, former Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union and President of the NSW Labor Party. Pat was an active trade unionist within the Clerks Union and rendered great support to her husband during his campaigns for Phillip. Pat played a pivotal role within the local Labor Party branches in the Sutherland Shire and her funeral was attended by many Party and trade union members. 2014 Political Briefing #2 4 9. VALE – KENNETH (KEN) ROBERTS Ken Roberts joined the Labor Party in 1954 just prior to his twentieth birthday. He was a loyal member of the Party representing his local Branch at a FEC, SEC and Local Government Committee level. As recently as 2012, when the Presidency of the Blacktown SEC became vacant, he was happy to step in and serve as President. Local Labor representatives, including current State Labor Leader John Robertson enjoyed Ken’s counsel and advice on various matters. Indeed, John Robertson referred to Ken in his parliamentary speech on Ports Privatisation on 20 June 2013 stating – “Ken Roberts, a former wharfie and constituent of mine in the Blacktown electorate, raised concern about the approach of this Government to selling off port assets and highlighted the fact that ports are critical pieces of economic infrastructure that belong in public hands. The New South Wales Opposition agrees with the statement that ports should remain in public hands.” Ken served on Blacktown Council from 1968 to 1974 and again from 1977 to 1987. He was an integral part of the Labor team that saw the election of 11 Labor councillors in 1980 from the 15 available positions. Ken served on many Council committees and was elected Deputy Mayor from 1977- 78. He also was the Chair of the Prospect County Council. Apart from his proud ALP involvement he was also a staunch unionist. He was a proud member of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, now the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA). Ken was the delegate at his worksite and was part of many rallies and demonstrations for workers’ rights. Ken will be fondly remembered for the values and his contribution to the local community. Ken was very proud of his family and is survived by Lucy, Murray, Lindsay, Rachel, Pat, Brett, Jake, Liam and Billie 10. 2014 NSW LABOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE The 2014 NSW Labor Annual Conference will be held at the Sydney Town Hall on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July 2014. Timetable for Agenda Items The following timetable will apply for agenda items from all Party Units and Affiliated Unions: • Rule changes and Policy Platform Changes to be considered at Annual Conference must be received by the Party Office by 12noon Friday 2 May 2014. 2014 Political Briefing #2 5 • All other Annual Conference agenda items must also be received by the Party Office by 12noon Friday 9 May 2014. Agenda items can now be submitted by Party Units and Affiliated Unions on our new NSW Labor Annual Conference website: conference.nswlabor.org.au NSW Policy Forum Any report of the NSW Policy Forum (or ‘Policy Commission’ of the NSW Policy Forum) must be finalised by Friday 9 May 2014. Conference Policy and Agenda Committee The Conference Policy and Agenda Committee will finalise its report by Friday 6 June 2014. Life Membership Nominations The last date for submission of nominations for Life Membership is 12 noon Friday 18 April 2014.