NSW Labor faces messy preselection in Macquarie Fields as minister faces revolt

The seat of Macquarie Fields has been plagued by months of infighting and accusations of branch stacking, with the Ingleburn-Macquarie Fields branch seeing a surge in membership. A membership list obtained by this masthead shows the branch had 152 members over more than 30 years, but 149 members have signed up in the past five years, including 86 in the past two years. The majority of new members are listed as “concessional,” paying a discounted rate.

Chowdhury, who is president of that branch, denied any stacking. “There’s no stacking,” he said. He said the branch never exceeded the party-mandated cap of five new members per meeting, and that the party had investigated “one and a half years ago” but “they couldn’t find anything.”

“South Asians love politics,” Chowdhury said. “It’s not my family connections. They’re different people, different communities, different colours. It’s very tidy.” Earlier in the week, he told this masthead: “I’m definitely interested to run. I’m telling you honestly, I’m going to win the preselection.”

Longtime branch members believed stacking began in the years after NSW emerged from COVID restrictions. The branch had booked a small room at Ingleburn RSL, expecting a few dozen attendees, but more than 100 people showed up, identifying themselves as members and voting as a bloc supporting Chowdhury. Federal MP for Macarthur, Mike Freelander, who attended branch meetings until they became “too chaotic,” said the situation made it unlikely Chanthivong would win preselection. “That is a huge difficulty for him and I hope that the premier will support him, but I’m not sure what is going on,” Freelander said. He described Chanthivong as “a longtime friend of mine” and “a good representative of our community.”

A senior Labor source, speaking anonymously to discuss internal matters, said Chanthivong had repeatedly alleged stacking but failed to provide sufficient evidence to warrant intervention. The source said that in October 2023, the party’s administration committee directed head office to take possession of the branch’s books, and a head office member attended several meetings. Chanthivong was advised about the type of evidence needed, but it never surfaced.

Chanthivong declined to comment. In a statement, a spokesperson for NSW Labor said: “Over the past five years, NSW Labor has significantly strengthened its anti-branch-stacking rules and has taken decisive action in areas where branch stacking has been established. If there are any new allegations or evidence of branch stacking within this branch, they should be referred to the party via the appropriate process. The improper disclosure of party membership lists, including personal information, is a breach of the party’s rules and code of conduct. The party officers will consider what further action is required.”

Even if Chanthivong survives preselection, he will not be a minister if the Minns government is re-elected in March. There is growing unwillingness to save him via a referral to national executive, a contrast with “captain’s calls” by Premier Chris Minns in other seats. Nor is there appetite to open the door for Chowdhury to enter parliament. A third candidate via national executive would be a break with the convention of not rolling sitting ministers and risk angering locals keen to back Chowdhury.