Right accuses ALP of sexism

May 31, 1995
Issue 

Right accuses ALP of sexism

By Alex Bainbridge

On May 13, Newcastle's sitting ALP federal member, Allan Morris, defeated a preselection challenge by Lyn Holmes. Holmes, losing 66 votes to 226, has since accused the ALP of being "sexist".

Police have resumed an inquiry into alleged corruption in the Newcastle branch of the ALP. Holmes and her supporters had alleged that branch members had forged entries in the meeting attendance book.

In turn, Morris called in the police to clear the charges, arguing that an ALP Credentials Committee ruling was not sufficient to clear members' names of fraud. After initially being put "on hold", the police investigation was reopened after permission to analyse the branch records was granted by the ALP state office on May 11.

Holmes' loss has been heralded by the right as evidence that the ALP is "sexist". "This isn't a show of support for Allan Morris; it's an indication that the party in Newcastle did not want a woman in parliament", said key right figure and former MLA Arthur Wade. Holmes has released a statement expressing similar views.

State ALP executive officer Amanda Fazio is reported to have said that there is a need to educate party members about the new policy of having 35% of winnable seats contested by women by the year 2002. "It seems that there will be a need for intervention in the rank and file preselection process", she said.

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