Ex-Vic Labor candidate vents on Twitter
A former Victorian Labor candidate has used Twitter to vent his frustration at the party hierarchy who he says has ignored him.
Joe Brown, former candidate for the safe Liberal seat of Polwarth, has quit the ALP.
"My decision to now resign as a member of the ALP is based solely on how I have been treated/ignored by the Head Office," Mr Brown said on Twitter.
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews would not be drawn on Mr Brown's resignation and tweets.
"I wish Mr Brown all the best - I think that's the most appropriate thing for us to do," Mr Andrews said on Wednesday when asked if he found it disappointing.
Mr Brown had already stepped down as the Labor candidate for the sprawling west Victorian seat but took to Twitter on Monday to say he was quitting the party.
"I love the Labor party and what it stands for but until they get real & get rid of the people holding them back. I'm done," he tweeted.
"Hopefully once the problems are removed and the archaic people hiding in offices are gone, Labor may truly be progressive.
"I intend on still being active & outspoken regardless of whether the ALP like it or me."
Mr Andrews was asked if he expected to run a strong Labor candidate in Polwarth, which is considered very safe Liberal-held seat.
"We expect to run good, strong, solid candidates in every seat to give every single Victorian a choice, whether it's a seat that history would say we might win or not," he said.
Polwarth is held by Public Transport and Roads Minister Terry Mulder.
Labor state secretary Noah Carroll said the search for a new candidate was well advanced.
"The party has a candidate for Polwarth that we will be considering tomorrow, and who lives in the seat of Polwarth," Mr Carroll told AAP on Wednesday.
"The ALP will be fielding a candidate in every seat in Victoria, and we wish Mr Brown well in his future endeavours."
Mr Carroll said Mr Brown's comments about the party on Twitter were inaccurate.
