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Mr Conroy told factional colleagues voters had been
alienated by Labor's emphasis on the casino, gambling and Grand Prix to the
exclusion of other issues.
He is believed to have likened a meeting of senior state
Labor figures to a Uniting Church meeting - in that the issues and policies
discussed were the same. Sources said Mr Conroy also described the recent
election result as worse than 1992 for Labor, as the party had lost ground in
marginal seats it needed to win.
Sources were divided as to the significance of Mr Conroy's
speech. Some said his key position in the faction added weight to the attack,
but denied the remarks had implications for Mr Brumby's leadership.
Others described the speech as ``scathing'' and it was
noted that none of the state frontbenchers present responded in defence of Mr
Brumby. But it is believed the MPs felt a report given by Mr Steve Bracks covered
the topics raised by Mr Conroy, and that at least one of them argued with Mr
Conroy later.
Some insiders said the comments formed part of the ``usual
post-election analysis'' and were made in a ``completely appropriate forum
for people to express their views''. They said a frank appraisal was also
made of Labor's poor showing in the federal election.
There was concern that Mr Conroy's comments about the
casino might embarrass the federal party as it prepared to support a Senate
inquiry into the casino licensing process. Another senior Labor Unity figure,
Australian Workers Union secretary Mr Bob Smith, told the meeting Mr Brumby
was in a bunker and out of touch with the party's support base.
Party insiders said Mr Smith criticised Mr Brumby for not
maintaining contact with a broad range of members. They said Mr Smith spoke
against the possible appointment of a lawyer, Ms Julia Gillard, as Mr
Brumby's chief of staff. It is believed Mr Brumby will ignore advice to
appoint Mr Richard Wynne, a one-time chief adviser to the former deputy Prime
Minister, Mr Brian Howe.
The attacks came at a meeting of about 80 Labor Unity
members held at the Transport Workers Union headquarters in Port Melbourne
yesterday morning. The meeting included the frontbenchers Mr Bracks, Mr Rob
Hulls and Mr Bruce Mildenhall, and key federal MPs Mr Gareth Evans and Mr
Robert Ray. As leader, Mr Brumby, a former member of Labor's right group, has
to be independent of the factions and did not attend yesterday's meeting.
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