Yesterday the Tasmanian Labor Party announced that Franklin MHA David O’Byrne had won the leadership ballot against Shane Broad. Deputy Leader Anita Dow had been Acting Leader since just after the May 1 election loss, which precipitated the resignation of Rebecca White.
The pair fronted the media for the first time together today at St David’s Park, Hobart, 16 June 2021. Anita Dow did not speak publicly at the 20-minute event.
David O’Byrne
It’s great to be here with newly-elected Deputy Leader Anita Dow. Let me start by acknowledging the leadership of Rebecca White. Rebecca did an amazing job as leader of the parliamentary Labor Party over four years contesting two elections, and fighting the good fight for Labor. And we respect her decision not to re contest the ballot, and I want to personally thank her for her support. And I know that she will be a key part of the team moving forward. I’d like to acknowledge Shane Broad, and thank him for the respectful and constructive role he played within the ballot. It was a contest of ideas. We shared a number of forums and branch meetings and conversations across the state over the last two and a half weeks. And I want to thank him for his constructive role within that process. I know the rank and file members absolutely appreciate it. And it holds us in good store as a team moving forward with the rank and file of the Labor Party. I also want to thank the rank and file members of the parliamentary Labour Party for their vote of confidence in me as a leader.
In the two components of the ballot, it was a strong vote. And I don’t take that lightly. It’s an enormous responsibility. And it’s something that I hold very dear. And I know, as we’ve spoken, and there’s been much media comment, we know where we are as a Labor Party. We know we’ve got a lot of work to do to rebuild the faith and trust with the Tasmanian community, to not only keep the Gutwein government to account and hold them to account, but also to build a vision and a platform that the Tasmanian community can support and vote for at the next election. I want to thank Anita Dow for the acting role that she’s played over the last two and a half, three weeks. It’s a hell of a workload, given we were very much involved in a membership contest, voting ballot contest. So I just want to thank, Anita, for her work, and I very much look forward to working with her as the new Labor leadership team.
Journalist – Matt
To what extent do you acknowledge that the Labor Party has lost a lot of support from the sort of sort of traditional blue collar base over the past few years? And what are you what’s your plan, basically, to try and you know, regain some of that lost ground?
David O’Byrne
Well, it’s no secret our primary vote is not strong enough. We know that we need to build trust and confidence with the Tasmanian community and build majority support for a Labor government. We know we’ve got a lot of work to do in every corner of this state. That’s going to take work, it’s going to take building relationships, it’s going to take not only the Labor Party holding the Liberal government to account, but we need to convince people at what we stand for and not what we’re against. So we’ll be focusing on listening to the Tasmanian community, working with business groups, working with community groups, working with communities across the state, about ensuring that we’re talking about and we’re fighting for the issues that they want us to fight for.
We know Tasmanians can do better. We know they’re suffering under this government in terms of an appalling health and hospital system, a crisis in housing and a chronic lack of delivery in infrastructure. These are the issues that Tasmanians want us to talk about. And we need to build relationships, rebuild trust, and build a platform that can people can support. We’re under no illusions. We’ve got a lot of work to do.
Journalist – unidentified
How are you going to end the factional feud?
David O’Byrne
Well, it’s been pretty clear that this ballot has been a strong endorsement of the leadership team of myself and Anita. It’s an endorsement which gives us a platform to build relationships to ensure that we are united. In my conversations with rank and file members and party people across the last couple of weeks, it’s very clear that it is more that unites us than divides us. We need to be focused on the issues that the Tasmanian people want us to be focused on. We need to listen, we need to build trust. And that takes unity. And I’ve got commitments from across the party that that we are in this together. We owe the Tasmanian people to be the best we can to ensure that we can build towards government at the next election.
Journalist – Matt
Some party elders have said that, you know, it’s not the party as they knew it only a short number of years ago, really in the last sort of 10 years in particular, some power brokers have become too powerful and not willing to compromise, do deals share power and accommodate other views. You would have heard that I’m sure. To what extent as leader, can you address those things? And to what extent will you?
David O’Byrne
Well, I think it’s no surprise at this point in the cycle where we have lost a few elections, where people are concerned about the future of the party, and people want us to be better. They want us to present to the Tasmanian community not only a strong policy platform, but a united front. I welcome those comments, I welcome their commitment to work with us to build unity. In my conversations over the last couple of weeks, and the commitments that I’ve seen from people demonstrated in meetings and forums and branch meetings across the state, there is a renewed commitment to unity. And my role as leader is to facilitate that, to bring that together, to ensure that we can, we don’t always have to agree. But once we resolve a matter once, we collectively reach a decision, that we provide a united front of the Tasmanian community. And I think that’s appropriate.
Journalist – Alexandra Alvaro
In order to create change, you’re going to have to disappoint some of the people who help elect you to this leadership position, the power-brokers on the left. Does that fill you with anxiety?
David O’Byrne
Oh, look, I don’t accept the premise of the question. I know there are people across the party of goodwill, who care deeply about the Tasmanian community, that care deeply about the issues that they’re confronting, and want the Labor Party to be united. They want us to be the best we can be. And in those discussions, I’ll be making it very clear that we will be fighting for Tasmanians at every day and every week of every month of this parliamentary term. And if that means compromise on some people’s case, then that’s what has to happen.
We know that the Tasmania people deserve better than a Peter Gutwein government, which is failing in health, failing in housing and failing in infrastructure delivery. Those are the issues when I talk to rank and file members across the state, they’re the issues that they’re talking about. They’ve joined the Labor Party because they want to see positive change. They’ve joined the Labor Party because they see the Labor Party as as the political force to bring positive change to Tasmania. We are united on that. We might not always agree but that will be our single focus. And I’m calling for unity. And I know that I’ve got commitments across the spectrum of the party that they are willing to work with us. From day one, we are united. And we will be focusing on ensuring that we hold the government to account and build a platform and build policies that people can engage in, not only at the election time, but over the next three to four years.
Journalist – unidentified
But that compromise would that be with you trying to compromise with the right side or are you going to try to push the right of the party to compromise?
David O’Byrne
This is about building consensus. We are a party of government. We just had over a thousand members vote for their party leader, we know that there is more that unites the Labor Party than divides us. We know that once we build that consensus, and once we agree on on key policy issues, on processes to consult with the Tasmanian community, with business groups, with employer organisations, with unions, with community groups, that is the consensus that we need to build. Labor at its best represents a diverse range of views. The contest of ideas inside the party is healthy. I welcome that. But once we reach consensus, once we settle those debates, we move forward.
Journalist – Bob Burton
In the recent state election Labor ran dead on environmental issues. Do you think that was a mistake?
David O’Byrne
I wouldn’t accept that we ran dead on those issues at all. I know that, we know in talking to the Tasmanian community, that the task of Labor is always to balance industry development and industry jobs and the environment and issues around climate change. We will be very clear and we will have strong policies around the environment and around climate change. But we’ll also be unequivocal about our support for sustainable industries and ensuring that sustainable jobs can be built for the future of Tasmania.
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Journalist – Matt
Some in the party are sceptical, you know some people see your elevation to the leadership as a reward for those power brokers who are the problem as they see it. What would you say to those people?
David O’Byrne
Well, they’re wrong.
Journalist – Matt
And why are they wrong and –
David O’Byrne
Because they’re wrong. I’m not beholden to anyone. I’m beholden to the Tasmanian people. I’ve got a great team with my deputy Anita Dow, and with a great parliamentary Labor Party that is focused on making a positive difference for Tasmanians. This is not about, this is not about the the the underlying sort of premise of your question. This is really about uniting the party. I’m not going to respond to commentary on the side. I know with my discussions – not only with key people in the party, but rank and file members across the state – they are united in wanting Labor to be the best we possibly can be. And that is my task. And that is my job.
Journalist – Sean McComish
Not talking about the future, talking about today. Is Labor united today?
David O’Byrne
Yes.
Journalist – Sean McComish
Are you sure?
David O’Byrne
Absolutely. We are united around our focus to be the best party we can possibly be. We are united around building a platform that the Tasmanian community can vote for. We might not always agree. And we saw in the election that some of those matters spilled over into the public domain. That was unfortunate and regrettable. And it needs to stop and it needs people to come around the table to unite. I’ve got commitments from a number, a range of people, key people in the party, rank and file members, who want to focus on the key issues facing Tasmanians.
Journalist – Sean McComish
Changing track a little bit. How long in your political life have you wanted to be leader? Was yesterday sort of a dream come true? How did you feel when you actually found out that you got the top job?
David O’Byrne
Well, it’s a humbling moment to be elected leader of the parliamentary Labor Party in Tasmania. I’ve never shied away from responsibility. In every role I’ve had in my career, if there’s an opportunity to make a difference at the level and the job that I’ve got, I’ve relished that role. If higher roles are offered or become available, and I’m supported in taking on those roles, I’ve taken them on, because that is the responsibility of leadership. This is not something I’ve shied away from. People have, you know, there’s been lots of chatter around. But I’ve always focused on the job that I have. And if opportunities arise where I’m able to play a more of a leadership role, I’ve never shied away from that.
And I’m humbled by the support of not only the parliamentary Labor Party, but I’m humbled by the support of literally hundreds of rank and file members of the Labor Party to take on this most important job. Being in opposition is not fun. There are no spools of opposition. This is an enormous task, and we have an enormous job to rebuild Labor. And I relish that role. Because, you know, it’s been my life’s work to make positive change in people’s life. This is this is a new role. It’s a new opportunity, and I’ll relish the chance.
Journalist – Alexandra Alvaro
What role will you be giving Rebecca White in your shadow cabinet?
David O’Byrne
Rebecca White is a talented parliamentarian, she’s a great local member. And she’s a good friend, and she will play a key role in our front bench. I’ll be talking to my colleagues over the next 24 hours. And we’ll be making some announcements more later on those roles.
Journalist – unidentified
When do you expect to have shadow cabinet finalised by?
David O’Byrne
Well hopefully by tomorrow, we’re coming together, and we’ll let people know when when that’s fine.
Journalist – Matt
Could you clarify the status of Ben McGregor as party president?
David O’Byrne
That matter has been referred to the National Executive, I’ll be seeking a briefing from the State Secretary on where that process is at. We have clear processes of dispute resolutions and matters of these kind inside our party. I’m not sure exactly where they sit.
Journalist – Matt
Should he stand aside?
David O’Byrne
I think that would be the appropriate thing to do pending an investigation. If someone’s had this against them, I think they should.
Journalist – Alexandra Alvaro
Shouldn’t he be standing aside permanently (inaudible)
David O’Byrne
This is, well, this is a matter of natural justice. We have processes in our party to respond to complaints of this nature. It’s been referred to the National Executive, I’ll be seeking an update on where that matter is. At the end of the day, it’s not me, as the leader of the parliamentary Labor Party, to invert myself or involve myself in that process. An accusation has been made, an investigation needs to concur, natural justice needs to apply.
Journalist – Alexandra Alvaro
Doesn’t that mean that you’re still beholden to the party machine?
David O’Byrne
So if someone makes a complaint against a party office bearer, we refer it to the disputes of process and procedure. And we’re allowing that to speak. We’re allowing that disputes procedure to take its place, natural justice must apply. I don’t care who it is, if we have an office bearer that had serious complaints made against them. We have a process inside the party, we need to follow that process. And it’s not appropriate for me to have a running commentary on it.
Journalist – Bob Burton
During the election campaign Richard Flanagan’s book Toxic was released. At the time the Labor Party said it supported the salmon industry 100%. Is that still the case? And have you read the book?
David O’Byrne
I haven’t as yet, I have been a bit busy the last few weeks. So we support the salmon industry. We support a sustainable salmon industry. But I’ll be very clear, no industry gets a blank cheque from Labor. It always falls to Labor to balance not only industry development and good secure jobs, but also environmental custodianship, so we support the industry, but we also support industry that’s environmentally sustainable. And in our discussions with industry, they value that as well. That will be absolutely our focus.
Journalist – Matt
To what extent you can see Labor has or at least is perceived as having abandoned or neglected its traditional working class, blue collar, traditional industries, you know, forestry, mining, and so on. To what extent do you feel it’s something that needs to be addressed?
David O’Byrne
Well, it’s pretty clear by the results of the elections, that in recent years, that Labor needs to rebuild trust and confidence with a range of communities, not just working class communities. We need to build, you know, 50% plus support across Tasmania. And that means we need to reach out to not only industries, but geographic groups in communities across the state. We’ve got a lot of work to do, we’re under no illusions that we need to rebuild: rebuild trust and faith that the Labor Party traditionally has had with the Tasmanian community. So we’re under no illusions we’ve got a lot of work to do.
Journalist – Matt
Do you agree with Shane Broad that elections are won and lost in the centre of politics?
David O’Byrne
I think elections are won and lost on the popular vote. You need to build a 50% plus support across the state. And that means that you need to build a platform, and you need to build trust with the Tasmanian community in a way that they have confidence that you can govern, not only competently, but you’re able to build a positive vision for the future. And that will be our focus.
Journalist – unidentified
Labor has focused very heavily on health on the state and federal level, with very little to no reward. Will Labor have to broaden its major policies when the next election rolls around, instead of just putting all the eggs in one basket?
David O’Byrne
I don’t accept that we did that. We had some comprehensive policies taken to the last election. And it’s appropriate now that we review those policies given not only the election result, but obviously with the with the passing of time towards the next election, there will be new issues and there will be different, different elements of those debates. But it’s pretty clear in talking to Tasmanians, that they are concerned about the state of the health system. They’re are concerned about the health system, they are concerned about the housing crisis, and they’re concerned about a lack of infrastructure delivered from this government. We need to ensure that we have a broad platform, a platform that reaches out beyond just health and housing to the Tasmanian community. But again, we need to rebuild trust, we need to build relationships, we need to listen to the Tasmanian community and build towards the next election. But make sure that people know what the Labor Party stands for, and not what we’re against.
Journalist – Sean McComish
What sort of opposition leader do you think you’ll be?
David O’Byrne
That’s for others to judge. I know I’ll work hard, I’ll work hard with my parliamentary team. We’ll hold this government to account. And we will build strong relationships across Tasmania and build a platform that we think the Tasmania community will support and elect a majority Labor government at the next state election.
Journalist – Alexandra Alvaro
And Shane Broad, what role will he play?
David O’Byrne
He’ll play – we haven’t finalised those discussions – but he’ll play a key role on the front bench. And
Journalist – Matt
Just to clarify, David, it sounds from your previous comments that you’ve actually reached out to the right faction, to unaligned members, that you’ve actually reached out and tried to get an agreement that there’ll be unity going forward?
David O’Byrne
Well, at the end of the day, I was elected leader of the parliamentary Labor party last night. I’ve spoken to people on the phone over the last 24 hours. Sorry, not 24. I tell you I was really yeah, I’ll start that one again. Look, I’ve only just been elected to the parliamentary Labor Party leadership. I’ve already been on the phone talking to key people across our party, I did have the absolute honour and privilege of talking to literally hundreds of rank and file members over the last couple of weeks in the ballot. It’s given me a unique perspective on their aspirations for their party and their expectations of me as leader. We need to bring people together. The only way we do that is by sitting around having a conversation and focusing on the things that we agree on and focusing on on who the enemy of Tasmania is. And that’s the Peter Gutwein-led Liberal government.
Journalist – Bob Burton
It came out during the campaign that Labor had an MOU with the Tasmanian Hospitality Association. Does Labor have similar MOUs with other groups, and if so, who? And will you make them public?
David O’Byrne
It’s quite common for political parties to have agreements, MOUs, you know, heads of agreement with a whole range of organisations. I was a part of the union movement that had formal agreements with previous Labor governments. Now that we’ve gone through the election, we’ll be reviewing those, those agreements, but from time to time, if organisations seek to have MOUs or written agreements with us in terms of how we deal with their issues, or how we relate to them as an organisation, we’ll continue to do that. But it’ll be on a case by case basis, and we’ll make them public.
Journalist – unidentified
(inaudible)
David O’Byrne
I’ll be looking forward to holding this government to account. There are so many issues that Tasmanians are concerned about: the collusion between the Premier and Adam Brooks, and the cast, the pall and the shadow that has cast over last election. The health system which is in crisis; you talk to a nurse, you talk to a health professional. You talk to someone in Clarendon Vale or Rocherlea or East Devonport desperate to get a house. You talk to civil construction people about the frustration about a lack of delivery from the state government. These are the issues that we’ll prosecute in the parliament and we’ll hold this government to account.
Journalist – unidentified
What was the mixture of votes and how much of the vote actually went to you? And what you took away from that?
David O’Byrne
Okay, so in the two components in the State Conference delegation, there was a 75% vote for me. In the rank and file component, there was a 72% vote. They’re strong votes, and the fact that the State Conference and the rank and file were very similar indicates that that does give me a mandate. It does give me the support that I need to rebuild Labor and to build a strong platform for the future of Tasmania.
