Former Victorian Minister Marlene Kairouz loses legal challenge over branch stacking claims

A former Labor Party minister accused of branch stacking has failed to quash the allegations or overturn a national takeover of the Victorian branch.

Marlene Kairouz launched legal action in the Supreme Court of Victoria against ALP bosses after she was accused of branch stacking under party rules in January this year.

The Kororoit MP argued the administrators, which included former premier Steve Bracks and party elder Jenny Macklin, didn’t have the power to take over the state’s administrative wing or charge her with branch stacking.

She has denied the allegations but could now face an internal tribunal.

Justice Tim Ginnane dismissed her suit on Tuesday and said she failed to prove or establish her claim.

“Ms Kairouz has not proved or established her claim that the national executive has interfered with the administration of the branch trusts,” he said.

Branch stacking involves signing up members by offering an “inducement” or enrolling people to influence preselection for candidates.

Premier Daniel Andrews asked the federal executive to step in and appoint administrators following revelations aired about the controversial practice in the media in June 2020.

The ALP’s national executive took control of the branch and also passed a resolution to introduce a new definition of branch stacking.

A lawyer for Ms Kairouz argued during a previous hearing the allegations were invalid.

The branch stacking accusations relate to an incident in March last year.

A similar suit involving 11 union bosses against federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese was also dismissed.