Statement by Ben McGregor, Tas Labor President

Media statement – Ben McGregor, President Labor Tasmanian Branch, 5 October 2021

Media Statement of Ben McGregor

On September 24, I resumed my role as President of Tasmanian Labor.

As President, I have a duty to account for current financial concerns and sources of funding.  I have a duty to account for policy discourse and deliberative processes.  In accordance with this duty, at midday yesterday, I informed the relevant party offices of my intent to seek to be officially informed on all matters pertaining to party finances overseen by the jurisdiction of my office as President of Tasmanian Labor, as is made incumbent upon me as a trustee with oversight, as per rule 13.3 of the Australian Labor Party Tasmanian Branch Rules. I also sought to be officially informed about policy motions being discussed at the then upcoming State Conference, previously scheduled for this month, so as to meet my obligations as Presiding Chair of Conference.

Today I read in the media that the ALP Tasmanian Branch State Conference has been cancelled. A short time later I learned that:

1. at its meeting today, the National Executive passed a motion amending the Tasmanian Branch Rules to give an absolute majority of members at the State Conference the power to remove the President or Vice-President; and
2. in the same motion, the National Executive purported to use the newly created power they have just given the Tas ALP State Conference to remove me as President.

This is very distressing and disappointing for me. I have worked hard for the party for many years, striving to give a voice to grassroots members.

It will also be very disappointing to ALP members across Tasmania who had been deeply involved in preparing policy for the conference and organising travel to attend. We get few opportunities as members to have a say in the policy the party takes to an election and it is disappointing that this opportunity has been taken away this year, in the lead up to an important federal election in 2022.

I am particularly distressed that the National Executive acted unilaterally to remove me. I was not informed of the National Executive’s intention to remove me prior to its decision. I was not offered an opportunity to address the National Executive before they made their decision. I believe that this action is inconsistent with what most Australians, and most ALP members, would consider to be a fair and just process.

This action can only negatively affect Tasmanian’s confidence in the ALP, and undermines the rights of all members of the party to be treated fairly by internal party processes.

I do not intend to make any further comment at this time.