NSW Labor MPs and party operatives are split over the appointment of a NSW political staffer nicknamed "Joe Triprotege" to serve as Bill Shorten's new strategy director.
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Former NSW political staffer Ian McNamara, who has worked as a senior adviser to former premier Kristina Keneally and other state Labor leaders, as well as disgraced former state MP Joe Tripodi, is poised to replace Mr Shorten's strategy director Eamonn Fitzpatrick, who left his senior role back in August last year.
Formal approval of the appointment is being considered by Labor's staffing committee, led by federal MP Gary Gray, and Mr McNamara has spent the most recent parliamentary sitting week in Canberra.
Mr Gray issued a strong defence of Mr McNamara on Friday, declaring: "I think Ian is a great addition to Bill's team and I have no hesitation at all in recommending him."
Some NSW Labor MPs and political operatives contacted by Fairfax Media raised concerns that the appointment will bolster the influence of the NSW Right faction in Mr Shorten's office, highlighting his close links to NSW Labor general secretary Jamie Clements, Mr Tripodi and other figures in the Sussex Street political machine.
They pointed to the fact that Mr McNamara appeared briefly as a witness at the Independent Commission Against Corruption in September last year to discuss Mr Tripodi's involvement in trying to get a coal project planned by mining magnate Nathan Tinkler's company Buildev ticked off.
But Mr Gray said:"I am aware that Ian has a deep background in public administration, I'm aware he has strong qualifications in economics and I'm also aware of the ICAC reference".
"Does he have a proven track record in public administration and public finance? Yes. Can we utilise that? Yes we can."
"I don't want to comment on any ICAC matter."
"I have myself been subject to a judicial inquiry with royal commission powers, I have myself stood in judicial inquiries, I know what it is like to go through these processes ... I hope that he is hired."
However, a NSW Labor MP, who asked not to be named, said that the pending appointment was concerning and called into question the judgment of the opposition leader and his office.
A second NSW operative praised Mr McNamara's economic policy brain but said hiring him was a "massive error of judgment" by the Opposition Leader's office.
"If he is doing strategy for them, well, look how well it worked for Robbo [former NSW leader John Robertson]."
Mr Clements said that Mr McNamara "is one of the smartest people I have ever worked with and he will be a valuable addition to the Opposition Leader's office".
"Very few people get both politics and policy as well as Ian McNamara".
Influential NSW senator and former general secretary Sam "Dasher" Dastyari, a friend of Mr McNamara's from their young Labor days, said Mr McNamara was a "great guy with a spectacular mind, the smartest advisor I have ever met. He is a strong addition to the team".
Other allies of Mr McNamara backed that assessment and praised his performance in Mr Robertson's office and in the offices of other state MPs.
They also highlighted his success as a campaign strategist in the seat of Fowler in 2013 federal election – which had the biggest swing to Labor in the country in the 2013 election - and the fact that current NSW leader Luke Foley asked him to stay on after the last state election as deputy chief of staff.
Mr Shorten's office confirmed the appointment was under consideration. Comment was sought from Mr McNamara.
