The Victorian Labor party has successfully installed two Melbourne-based candidates in the upper house seat of Eastern Region Victoria, despite extensive protest from Gippsland-based members.
The instalment of Harriett Shing and Vicki Setches by the state administrative committee and endorsed by the national executive attracted controversy as it bypassed a rank and file balloting process.
However the plan met an unexpected block on Monday, when the appointment of upper house candidates statewide was deemed in breach of affirmative action rules.
With only a handful of women among the 19 factionally-backed candidate hopefuls statewide, party returning officer Tony Lang blocked their appointment, however his decision was overruled by the national executive on Tuesday.
