Inpex workers ‘caught up in ALP factional brawl’
ASHLEY MANICAROS, NT News
July 1, 2017 12:30am
Subscriber only
A FACTIONAL brawl over onshore gas is unfolding, placing pressure on the leadership of Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
The CFMEU has been busy signing and renewing members to the Territory Labor Party ahead of Friday’s June 30 deadline.
A union source told the NT News the CFMEU numbers had more than doubled to 700.
Queensland CFMEU unionist Michael Ravbar and Territory union ‘co-ordinator’ Brendan Bogle are behind the surge, which has focused on signing Inpex workers.
The move is part of a larger Left strategy to ensure any decisions regarding onshore gas are made at the ALP Conference and not by the Gunner Government Cabinet.
The more union members the greater the number of conference delegates.
Earlier this month it was revealed Ravbar and Bogle lead a charge to replace Labor Party secretary Kent Rowe. His position was saved following the intervention of the ALP national executive committee.
A senior Left source said: “The move on Rowe was not really about him. It was about showing the Chief Minister what we could do. We want the party conference making the decision not Cabinet. We are not going to allow hydraulic fracturing.”
A member of the Right believes Mr Gunner will not press ahead with any onshore gas decision in order to secure his leadership position.
“If it comes down to leadership, Michael is not likely to put a few of these people in their place,” he said. “We’ve been trying to offset what Ravbar has been doing but without success.”
The CFMEU and the Maritime Union of Australia oppose onshore gas.
The MUA’s opposition is driven by a desire to protect its members who benefit from offshore gas development and would suffer if there was onshore resource development.
Attorney-General Natasha Fyles would be the beneficiary of any leadership change. She leads the Left faction.
Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said on Thursday Cabinet will make the decision regarding onshore gas. The Government has previously indicated it hopes to make a decision by January next year.
The timing of the next NT ALP Conference is expected to be about March 2018.
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