QUEENSLAND VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE Shane Cuthbert Sues Australian Labor Party
11th March, 2022
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Channel 7 News Frank Russo recently spoke with Shane Cuthbert outside the Cairns Supreme Court in relation to his action against the Australian Labor Party. Shane Cuthbert was recently removed from the Australian Labor Party over defamatory material which was posted about him in 2016. This defamatory material has since been removed however the Australian Labor Party has so far refused to reverse their decision to revoke Shane Cuthbert's Australian Labor Party membership.
STATEMENT
I can confirm that on the 16th of March, I made an application to the Cairns Supreme Court to have the the court hear my legal matter against the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland).
The Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) expelled me from the party on the 6th of December 2021. The letter i recieved from the State Secretary Julie-Ann Campbell was brief and stated only that the Administrative Committee had reviewed its decision to grant my membership and that it would not grant membership, as it was not considered in the best interests of the party.
I have attempted on many occasions over the last few months to have this matter settled directly with State Secretary Julie-Ann Campbell however, the State Secretary has avoided the matter, hoping it would go away. The State Secretary has been ignoring my emails, failed to respond to my letters and has not been returning any of my calls. I have explained to the State Secretary in detail, my concerns that this matter could become quite injurious to the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) if exposed publicly and that it should be resolved internally. Yet, the State Secretary has taken no steps to resolve the matter in a favourable way. Instead, State Secretary Julie-Ann Campbell hired a private law firm (Holding Redlich), having them threaten me prior to, the mention of this matter in court on the 11th of March 2021.
Despite this and, to be extremely clear, i do still support the Australian Labor Party and the local Federal Leichardt Candidate Elida Faith. This Decision was not made by Elida Faith. I have a great relationship with Elida, i have worked very hard on her campaign and spent a great deal of time with her. I have been to Elida's home, we have introduced ourselves to each others families and i can say that i have nothing but respect for Elida.
I worked very, very hard for Elida, knocking on hundreds of doors in the middle of summer and making thousands of calls to Cairns residents on her behalf. I believe Elida will be a great asset to the Division of Leichardt, Cairns and the Far North community advocating hard for families and communities here.
The local media wishes to make this application about local politics and create tension between myself and Elida, but there is simply none. I have nothing but total respect for Elida and the whole campaign team here in Cairns. When asked by Frank Russo of Channel 7 News last week whether i would still support Elida and the campaign i confirmed that i would and when asked if i would still support the party again, i said that i would.
I am suing the Australian Labor Party for the right to remain a member, and i am suing for my right not to be discriminated against. As an advocate for Human Rights, Justice, Equality, Youth, the Environment and a great deal many other causes and minority groups, i feel as though i have a duty to protect the rights of others and how can i ever expect to advocate on behalf of others effectively, if i cannot stand up for myself and address discrimination where it exists.
I am hopeful that the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) reviews and reverses the decision to cancel my membership and allows me to continue supporting them as a member.
In the absence of State Secretary Julie-Ann Campbell, legal representatives and/or ALP representatives, the matter progressed and has been listed for a Directions Hearing on the 1st April, 9:15am in the Cairns Supreme Court.
Regards,
Shane Cuthbert
The Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) expelled me from the party on the 6th of December 2021. The letter i recieved from the State Secretary Julie-Ann Campbell was brief and stated only that the Administrative Committee had reviewed its decision to grant my membership and that it would not grant membership, as it was not considered in the best interests of the party.
I have attempted on many occasions over the last few months to have this matter settled directly with State Secretary Julie-Ann Campbell however, the State Secretary has avoided the matter, hoping it would go away. The State Secretary has been ignoring my emails, failed to respond to my letters and has not been returning any of my calls. I have explained to the State Secretary in detail, my concerns that this matter could become quite injurious to the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) if exposed publicly and that it should be resolved internally. Yet, the State Secretary has taken no steps to resolve the matter in a favourable way. Instead, State Secretary Julie-Ann Campbell hired a private law firm (Holding Redlich), having them threaten me prior to, the mention of this matter in court on the 11th of March 2021.
Despite this and, to be extremely clear, i do still support the Australian Labor Party and the local Federal Leichardt Candidate Elida Faith. This Decision was not made by Elida Faith. I have a great relationship with Elida, i have worked very hard on her campaign and spent a great deal of time with her. I have been to Elida's home, we have introduced ourselves to each others families and i can say that i have nothing but respect for Elida.
I worked very, very hard for Elida, knocking on hundreds of doors in the middle of summer and making thousands of calls to Cairns residents on her behalf. I believe Elida will be a great asset to the Division of Leichardt, Cairns and the Far North community advocating hard for families and communities here.
The local media wishes to make this application about local politics and create tension between myself and Elida, but there is simply none. I have nothing but total respect for Elida and the whole campaign team here in Cairns. When asked by Frank Russo of Channel 7 News last week whether i would still support Elida and the campaign i confirmed that i would and when asked if i would still support the party again, i said that i would.
I am suing the Australian Labor Party for the right to remain a member, and i am suing for my right not to be discriminated against. As an advocate for Human Rights, Justice, Equality, Youth, the Environment and a great deal many other causes and minority groups, i feel as though i have a duty to protect the rights of others and how can i ever expect to advocate on behalf of others effectively, if i cannot stand up for myself and address discrimination where it exists.
I am hopeful that the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) reviews and reverses the decision to cancel my membership and allows me to continue supporting them as a member.
In the absence of State Secretary Julie-Ann Campbell, legal representatives and/or ALP representatives, the matter progressed and has been listed for a Directions Hearing on the 1st April, 9:15am in the Cairns Supreme Court.
Regards,
Shane Cuthbert