People you meet along the way - Episode Eleven - Politics

Terry discusses Tony Burke's mass citizenship ceremonies aimed at reducing backlogs while addressing controversies over vote stacking in labor seats. The political legacy of Frank Walker is examined, highlighting his influence in elections and postal vote management. A recount for Michael Cleary's seat results in a narrow victory, with Tim Gartrell's strategic role noted. Walker's return to law and state funeral are mentioned, alongside Peter Baldwin's violent encounter related to branch stacking.

Transcript

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As Prime Minister an the Albanese and Home Affairs minister, Tony Burke struggled to justify the mass citizenship ceremonies as clearing the backlog. The controversy continues to rage amid claims of a mass vote stacking in seats where the labor vote is tipped to fall. There's also controversy surrounding the current labor strategy of attacking opposition leader Peter Dutton. Without dirt file dating back in some instances up to 34 years, I'm reminded of the grand old days of the Whitlam Keating and Hawke governments, and in particular, my long standing friendship with the late Frank Walker. Frank served as Attorney General in the state government of Premier Neville R, and in the same role in the Federal Parliament as the member for Robertson. He went into the state parliament in 1970 as the member for George's River, an electorate previously considered a safe liberal seat. Frank pulled no punches in our casual discussions of the state of politics in New South Wales and federally in all electorates, the dead vote twice. He told me several times, once for labor, once for the liberals, but in George's River, I make sure they vote at least three times in his electorate office. A staff member was tasked with reading the deaths and funeral notices in each of the daily national and local newspapers. Another staffer then had the job of arranging postal and absentee votes for those who had passed away. Others in the office canvas, local nursing homes offering assistance with postal votes, or providing transport for anyone wishing to attend the polling booths. Within the labor left of the time, Frank earned the reputation for organizing postal and absentees to the betterment of the party's future, particularly with the backing of fellow lawyer and Sydney Aus Neville R. In 1974, the Electoral Commission ordered a recount on subsequent new poll for the seat of cji, where Triple International footballer and athlete Michael Cleary stood for. Over in the new poll. Cleary won by a handful of votes as the TV cameras and media gathered to hear the final declaration of the poll ran and Cleary stood side by side behind them stood Frank Walker with the announcement that Clary had won. The cheer went up and ran immediately about turned to shake Frank Walker's hand before shaking the hands of his new mp. An indication again that Frank had handled the absentee and postals one of Walker's staffers during those heady days was Tim Gartrell currently serving as Prime Minister Albanese. He's chief of staff, according to his bio. Gartrell is described as a master political strategist who's held advisory roles within the union movement and in some of the Alps win against the odds between 1993 and 1996, Gartrell served as an electoral advisor to a cohort of federal ministers, Frank Walker, Jeanette McHugh, and Anthony Albanese. Frank Walker lost his seat in 1996 with the fall of the Keating government and renewed his legal career. Included being appointed a district judge. He died from cancer at the age of 69, honored with the state funeral attended by former Prime Minister Paul Keating. Three former premiers High Court Judge Mary Goran, and with an Anthony Albanese representing the Prime Minister of the day. But when it comes to branch stacking troubles, the grand prize goes to Peter Baldwin, a former MP in the seat of Sydney, currently held by Tanya Pak in 1980. Baldwin was bashed senseless after he made allegations of branch stacking that allowed the city's organized crime bosses to access the A LP. Baldwin suffered horrific facial injuries, a fractured skull, and spent a fortnight in hospital. Deputy Premier Jack Ferguson demanded that someone be charged, no one ever was. As always, there's more to come. I'm Terry Galloway, and in the meantime, if you have any questions, information, or just want to chat, email me at galloway tr at gmail com.