Promoting experienced women to be public officials in the Labor Party is one of the ALP's remaining challenges for equality, the outgoing assistant state secretary in Victoria has declared.
Stephen Donnelly — who helped change the way the party campaigns, spearheading its Community Action Network (CAN) in recent elections — today gave notice he would be standing down as the Victorian assistant secretary.
"[Victorian Premier] Daniel Andrews has led the way for Labor, making sure the Cabinet is representative of Victoria," Mr Donnelly said.
"We now have affirmative action for our candidates, 50:50 for our Cabinet.
"It's time for the organisational wing of the party to walk the talk."
Labor's push toward equality has been highlighted in recent months, especially when compared with the Liberal Party's well-documented issues with a lack of diversity in its parliamentary ranks at both a federal and state level.
Men dominate organisational wing
Mr Donnelly told the ABC he wanted his replacement to be a woman.
The party's state secretary, Samuel Rae, is a man, as is the other state assistant secretary, Kosmos Samaras.
Men also dominate the national team, with Victorian Noah Carroll secretary and two men in the assistant secretary roles.
"It's now time for my replacement as assistant secretary and director [of] Labor's grassroots movement, the Community Action Network, to not just be a woman, but a woman with proven leadership and extensive field-organising experience in campaigns,'' Mr Donnelly said.
"There have been 37 women go through our field program since 2013. There are plenty of talented women organisers trained and ready to take on the role.
"Not replacing me with a woman will not be because of a lack of talent."
His resignation could trigger a factional battle over his replacement, with Mr Donnelly hailing from the right and Mr Samaras representing the left.
