Terry towelling

THE decision by Labor politicians to endorse former Liberal candidate Steve Mav exposed deep rifts in the Lennon Government, the Opposition said yesterday (in The Sunday Tasmanian).

The article says:

Local government spokesman Brett Whiteley said the move by Labor Speaker Michael Polley and Primary Industries Minister Steven Kons to back Steve Mav in the Glenorchy City Council election campaign was “an unprecedented slap in the face” to Labor MLC Terry Martin.

Mr Martin, the outgoing Glenorchy mayor, and Mr Mav have a long history of antagonism.

Mr Martin was reported yesterday to be considering his resignation from the Labor Party over the controversial and unusual move to endorse his former foe.

Denison federal member Duncan Kerr is also quoted:

Mr Kerr said he could understand if Mr Martin felt he had been dealt with badly.

He said the antagonism between Mr Martin and Mr Mav was well known in Labor circles and he believed the decision by Mr Polley and Mr Kons could not simply be put down to “showing a lack of understanding of local politics”.

Mr Kerr said he sympathised with Mr Martin’s anger at the situation.

“I’ve had a long working relationship with Terry Martin and I can understand if he feels he has been dealt with insensitively,” Mr Kerr said.

The full story:
Libs revel as endorsement cracks Labor