The dysfunctional Weatherill Labor Government is entering the sixth day of its division and disunity crisis, as Labor’s State Executive meets at midday today to decide the Labor candidate for Napier.
Factionally-unaligned Dave Garland, from the National Union of Workers, has put forward his candidacy.
Today, Mr Garland told ABC radio that he was from the “left right out” faction.
However, media reports today indicate that Union organiser, Jon Gee, is being strongly backed by the powerful right faction to claim the seat.
Mr Weatherill has now obviously also decided to back the right faction’s decision.
On Friday, Labor’s factional faceless man, Senator Don Farrell, exposed the deep divisions and disunity in a dysfunctional South Australian Labor Party that has lost the right to govern South Australia.
Yesterday, The Australian reported that Premier Weatherill was only told about the Don Farrell move into State Parliament as “a courtesy”.
Former Minister Michael O’Brien also told The Australian:
“The seat of Napier has traditionally been a seat of the Right and it was within our remit to choose who we like…It was a courtesy call (to the Premier) and nothing more…suggested to us by the state (ALP) secretary Reggie Martin.” (The Australian, 4/2/14)
This directly conflicts with statements made by Mr Weatherill that:
“…if there is any suggestion that there is doubt about who is actually running the show, it’s been made absolutely clear, it’s me and it’s been settled.” (MixFM, 31/01/14)
“The Weatherill Labor Government is lurching from crisis to crisis,” said Mr Lucas.
“There continues to be clear division, disunity and dysfunction within the Labor Party under the besieged Premier Weatherill’s leadership.
“The Weatherill Labor Government has now abandoned governing the people of South Australia for a factional fight to the death over who controls the party.
“South Australians deserve better.”
To visit the State Liberals’ ad, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARsKIFYa6aA&feature=youtu.be