SA: Labor branchstacking trial begins

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-1999
SA: Labor branchstacking trial begins

An unprecedented Supreme Court trial over a South Australian Labor Party branch stacking
row has begun in Adelaide.

Former deputy opposition leader RALPH CLARKE has taken the party's state branch to court
over his claim that about 2,000 people signed up in January were recruited in breach of a
party rule.

Counsel for Mr CLARKE, BRIAN HAYES QC, also says the disputed members are not eligible to
vote in elections for sub-branch delegates to October's state convention because they had not
been members for six months by the June cut-off date.

And he's seeking an injunction to ensure the ALP does not retrospectively amend its rules
to validate the disputed memberships and allow them to vote.

The case continues later today with argument from counsel for the ALP, RICHARD WHITE, QC.

AAP RTV sn/msk/jn

KEYWORD: ALP SA (ADELAIDE)

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