WA: Unions criticise Carpenter's choice for Morley

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2008
WA: Unions criticise Carpenter's choice for Morley

PERTH, April 7 AAP - Unions have criticised the West Australian premier for ignoring
local Labor Party members and backing a prominent Perth journalist for preselection in
the next state election.

Seven Network former chief political reporter and weekend newsreader Reece Whitby has
been recruited by Premier Alan Carpenter to Labor's ranks to contest the new metropolitan
seat of Morley.

A preselection win for Mr Whitby, 43, would likely see him stand against former Labor
minister turned independent MP John D'Orazio.

Mr D'Orazio was sacked as police minister last May and was later forced to resign from
the ALP over allegations he had driven his car while his licence was suspended because
of non-payment of fines.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) WA secretary Kevin Reynolds
today said Labor's candidate should be someone who had a long-standing commitment to the
party and not someone parachuted in by Mr Carpenter.

Mr Whitby currently is not a member of the ALP but says he plans to join imminently.

Unions WA secretary Dave Robinson said he was concerned local party branches had not
been consulted.

"Party processes should be adhered to," Mr Robinson said.

Mr Whitby said the ALP was big enough to include people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

"There are people who are very decent and who have honourable intentions who come through
the union movement and also through the factional system," Mr Whitby told ABC Radio.

"But I think the party is big enough not just to include those people, but to also
include ... other people who have other life experiences, professional experience, who
might have lived a life outside that party structure, who might have some skills and something
to bring to the party."

Mr D'Orazio says Mr Whitby currently lives in the beachside suburb of Cottesloe and
has no connection to Morley.

But Mr Whitby argues he would bring a fresh perspective to the electorate.

He has been taken off all reporting duties and will meet with Network Seven Perth managing
director Chris Warton today to decide his future.

"We'll see what's most appropriate," Mr Warton said.

AAP np/maur/cdh

KEYWORD: WHITBY UNIONS

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