Mps Turn Backs On Expelled Five

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday April 8, 2008

By MARIO CHRISTODOULOU

FIVE Illawarra ALP members expelled from the party last week shouldn't expect any support from their former colleagues in State Parliament.

Yesterday state MPs for Shellharbour, Kiama, Wollongong, Keira and Heathcote said they had either approved of the expulsions or were refusing to comment.

Former Wollongong council officer Joe Scimone and former Wollongong councillors Frank Gigliotti, Kiril Jonovski, Zeki Esen and Val Zanotto were expelled from the party last Friday after being named in the Independent Commission Against Corruption's inquiry into Wollongong City Council. The five have less than two weeks to appeal the decision.

The ALP's Illawarra MPs yesterday failed to come to their former colleagues' aid.

Wollongong MP Noreen Hay said she did not want to prejudice the Labor Party's appeal process.

"It is a very sad state of affairs," she said. "However, the individuals involved have 14 days to appeal the decision, so I don't want to say anything that might impede their right to an appeal process."

Member for Shellharbour Lylea McMahon also didn't want to comment until the appeals process was exhausted.

"It's a sad state of affairs, but (it) is a matter for the general secretary and these people have a right of appeal," she said.

Keira MP David Campbell supported the expulsions, saying: "I consider the action taken to be appropriate."

Mr Campbell's comments were mirrored by Member for Kiama Matt Brown.

"This has been through due process and the decision is appropriate," he said.

Heathcote MP Paul Mcleay also backed the ALP's actions. "The party has spoken," he said.

"The community is dissatisfied with what they have done and I support the party for taking strong action against it."

The comments contrast with remarks from former Labor Party member and Wollongong councillor Tony Kent, who last week described those expelled from the party as "scapegoats".

"The Labor Party is under pressure and the easy way out is to sack these people," he said.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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