A Wyndham councillor has vowed to fight a Labor Party decision to freeze his membership rights until August, labelling the move “a deliberate factional stitch-up”.
Cr Josh Gilligan, who has been a party member for seven years, will not be able to vote in party matters or seek pre-selection for any state or federal seats following a complaint lodged against him earlier this year.
The complaint to the party alleged that in last year’s council elections, Cr Gilligan distributed election materials that failed to direct preferences to candidates who were also Labor Party members.
Cr Gilligan distributed a how-to-vote card that recommended voters also vote for other Labor candidates – former councillor Marie Brittan, current mayor Henry Barlow and Robert Szatkowski.
But other materials only recommended they cast their second preferences in favour of Brittan, with no mention of Barlow or Szatkowski. This is a breach of party policy.
Cr Gilligan said the complaint was designed to prevent him from seeking party pre-selection for the state seat of Tarneit.
The seat is held by former speaker Telmo Languiller, but many believe Mr Languiller will not stand again due to health and family issues.
“Whilst I don’t normally comment publicly on internal party matters, I will say that I will rigorously appeal this grossly unjust decision,” Cr Gilligan said.
“I am yet to be provided with any reasons whatsoever for this outrageous decision despite requesting further clarification.”
He said he had no intention of running for Tarneit and was focused on his role as a councillor.
Mr Szatkowski, the complainant, said he was confident Cr Gilligan had breached party rules.
“The Labor Party operates in a certain way, but the way Gilligan is operating will hurt us long-term,” he said.
“Our party’s strength is solidarity, but Gilligan has been divisive.”
