By Michael Sinclair
A BATTLE for the plum state ALP seat of Keilor could go to the courts if the party’s administration fails to reopen its pre-selection voting in the area, a local Labor member has warned.
Long-time Brimbank-based party member Les Tarczon last week told Star he would seek legal advice if the party’s Victorian administration committee failed to respond to his calls to have a new vote for the preferred candidate for the safe Labor seat of Keilor.
Mr Tarczon lodged a complaint with the administration committee last month, alleging that it – under the chair of soon-to-be Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten – contravened a rule that governs the selection of candidates above 65 years of age.
According to party rules, members over 65 must win a two-thirds majority by members in voting for pre-selection, but George Seitz was elected with a simple majority in an administrative ruling last month.
While the administration admits the rule is in place, a senior party source told Star that the party fails to adhere to out of fear of breaking unfair dismissal laws.
“If I don’t get a response from the committee that they have received my documents and that they will hear it, then I am looking at further action outside of the ALP,” Mr Tarczon said last week.
“I’m looking at taking it to a barrister or solicitor to get action to force them (the committee) to have a look at them.”
Mr Tarczon said that the administration committee had failed to respond within a fortnight since the request was sent and that he expected to hear from the administration committee within a week.
