WA labor warms to Federal model
Rank-and-file involvement in selecting the parliamentary leader of the WA Labor Party could be on the cards after State Opposition Leader Mark McGowan and factional heavyweights gave their in-principle support.
It seems likely a leadership model similar to that used to elect new Federal leader Bill Shorten will be on the agenda for debate at Labor's State conference on November 2 and 3.
"I like the process - I'm very warm about it," Mr McGowan said yesterday.
"What I'd like to do is consult party members across WA as to whether they'd like it installed here and what sort of model . . . they would like to put in place."
Right faction leader Michelle Roberts and the Left's Sally Talbot said they had warmed to the process after being first opposed.
"I think it was a really positive experience and I think we should have a discussion in the party about doing something similar," Ms Roberts said.
Dr Talbot said her mind was changed after hundreds of discussions with party members during canvassing in support of Anthony Albanese. "I was absolutely surprised and really impressed by the way people responded to it, so I think people felt a genuine enthusiasm for the process," she said.
A party source said union leaders were likely to be less enthusiastic because it represented a possible loss of control over the party's organisation.
Carolyn Smith, secretary of the biggest Labor-affiliated union United Voice, favoured a debate at State conference.
"I think the Federal process has been really positive and the more the leader of the party is responsive to a broader range of people and issues . . . the better," she said.
