There were ructions in the Labor Party last week as leader Bill Shorten saved Kim Carr from being dumped from the frontbench, after Carr’s own Socialist Left faction decided it did not want him among their number to gain a portfolio in the shadow ministry. Carr kicked up a stink and even started a breakaway Left faction, meeting with Gavin Marshall and others separate to the main faction. Victorian Socialist Left secretary Matthew Hilakari wrote to “comrades” on Friday afternoon, saying that despite “challenging times” there was nothing to worry about:

“This week several members of the Federal Parliamentary Left split to form a separate group within the broader Federal Parliamentary caucus.

“The events in Canberra have have no bearing on the Victorian SL.

“The contingent of Victorian SL members to the Parliamentary Left is nine with four now caucusing separately.

“We have seen over many years a tendency for the National Left to fragment and reunite as they work through differences. During these challenging times members participating in these national forums still remain members of their state left affiliates.

“The SL members in the Shadow Ministry remain the same: Brendan O’Connor, Catherine King, Jenny Macklin and Kim Carr.”