‘He’d lose to an empty chair’: The Labor preselection tactic to save two ministers

Labor head office has held back the preselection of two ministers – including a key ally of Premier Chris Minns – over fears they could be ousted by local members if their nomination goes to a vote, with the party preparing to intervene to stave off the potential for an embarrassing challenge. At the same time, senior Labor sources have confirmed multiple veteran backbenchers may be convinced to retire before the election as the party struggled to comply with affirmative action rules requiring it to have equal representation between men and women in parliament.

Sports Minister Steve Kamper and Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong have had their preselection delayed due to Sussex Street’s concern they may no longer hold the numbers in their local branches to win an open vote by the Labor membership. But Kamper, who holds the electorate of Rockdale in Sydney’s south, hosed down speculation it could prompt him to retire before the March election, saying he would “absolutely be running”. “I look forward to putting to the people of Rockdale why we need four more years of a NSW Labor government,” he said.