A photo of ACT Young Labor members posing with an Aldi bag has been slammed as symptomatic of the poor culture within parts of the party.
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The photo featuring ACT Young Labor right faction members - including about seven people who work in the ACT Legislative Assembly - was taken after the Australian Young Labor Conference held in Canberra at the weekend.
Local Young Labor member Annika Rees, pictured holding the bag, has apologised for her part in the photo and posting it on Instagram.
Ms Rees works part time in local MLA Tara Cheyne's office. While she did not respond directly to questions, Ms Cheyne's office said: "Tara has spoken with Annika about the photo and Annika has expressed her remorse".
The picture appears to be making light of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption hearings, which have heard about a $100,000 cash donation to Labor handed over in an Aldi shopping bag.
The photo was posted on Ms Rees' Instagram account and later deleted, but not before it had been circulated widely among Labor circles.
The photo featured ACT Young Labor right members prominently, including a number of members who work for, or have worked for, sitting MLAs.
ACT Labor secretary Matt Byrne said the members had shown poor judgement and poor leadership.
"It's symptomatic of the cultural problems that some parts of the Labor party has and that the poor culture in NSW is affecting other parts of the country," he said.
"It's a shame that young members in the ACT have sought to play it down. Corruption is a very serious problem."
He said ACT Labor prided itself on having integrity, citing its strong regulations of donations.
"I think members are disappointed people are making light of what is a very serious problem in the NSW branch," Mr Byrne said.
Mr Byrne said it was even more disappointing Australian Young Labor elected ACT member Nick Douros - who was also pictured in the photo - as national secretary.
Mr Douros was the former president of ACT Young Labor but suspended after bullying allegations were upheld by an internal investigation.
Mr Byrne called on the leaders in the party who the members looked up to to discourage the behaviour.
ACT politics and health reporter Contact me with tips, story ideas, or just to have a chat, at daniella.white@canberratimes.com.au
ACT politics and health reporter Contact me with tips, story ideas, or just to have a chat, at daniella.white@canberratimes.com.au
