More scrutiny for Labor candidates

14 Jul 2012, 1:19 pm   -   Source: AAP
A committee will be established to scrutinise NSW Labor candidates, John Robertson says. (AAP)

A committee will be established to scrutinise NSW Labor candidates, John Robertson says. (AAP)

A committee will be established to scrutinise the personal and financial affairs of Labor candidates before the next NSW state election.

NSW Labor candidates at the next state election would have their personal and financial affairs scrutinised by a party committee, state Opposition Leader John Robertson says.

Taking the podium at Labor's annual state conference at Sydney Town Hall, Mr Robertson said former deputy premier John Watkins would chair a "committee of party elders" to vet candidates ahead of the March 2015 poll.

"For the first time, all potential candidates at the next state election will have to disclose their financial, personal and political history to ensure they don't bring our great party into disrepute," Mr Robertson said to applause.

"I can't change the past, but I can change who stands for office as part of my team."

Without mentioning the series of scandals that saw Labor lose 32 seats at the 2011 state election, Mr Robertson said "the behaviour of a corrupted few does not represent the qualities of all".

Candidates would have to demonstrate they are of "good fame and character", Mr Robertson said, adding they would have to submit a statement of intent about what they hoped to achieve as a NSW member of parliament.

The announcement comes after federal MP Craig Thomson's expulsion from the NSW Labor party, and corruption watchdog probes into former state Labor ministers Ian Macdonald and Tony Kelly.

The party announced this week the suspension of Mr Macdonald and another former state MP Angela D'Amore, who rorted electoral expenses.

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