Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten is backing moves for the ALP national executive to take control of the preselection process in Victoria and away from grass roots branches.
The proposal, endorsed by powerbrokers Kim Carr and Stephen Conroy, could spark tension within the Right faction of the Victorian Labor Party, with the move strongly opposed by key figure Adem Somyurek, The Australian reports on Tuesday.
The proposal would give Mr Shorten an easier path to move into the new electorate of Fraser and choose his Maribyrnong replacement, as well as protecting sitting members from challenges, and influence preselections in open seats such as Jagajaga and Macnamara.
Federal Labor frontbencher Jim Chalmers defended the decision to take preselection away from a ballot of rank-and-file members.
He said it was "overwhelmingly" the experience of Labor members to have a say in preselections and other ballots, like the recent election of ALP President Wayne Swan.
"From time to time that isn't possible if we're up against it time-wise," Mr Chalmers told Sky News on Tuesday, noting a federal election could be called as early as August.
