Board deputies line up in battle for Wentworth

THE battle for Sydney‚’s most Jewish seat, Wentworth, is for now all on the Labor side, as this week Malcolm Turnbull backed down on his decision to resign and NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president Robin Margo emerged as a potential ALP candidate.

Turnbull told The AJN that after receiving messages of support and pleas to remain from both his constituents and the party, he reversed his decision to step away from politics.

“There was a very large body of opinion encouraging me to reconsider my decision, so I did reconsider it and I came to the realisation that my passion for public service and my commitment to making a contribution to the many issues that affect our nation today, and in the years ahead, is as strong as ever, and the best place to participate in that debate is as a member of parliament,” he said on Monday.

But while Turnbull was declaring his return to politics just weeks after announcing he would leave, a stoush was emerging on the Labor side between two senior Jewish figures.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) president Robin Margo was approached by the ALP to consider standing for preselection in the Eastern Suburbs seat, but he told The AJN he had not made up his mind.

“I said last week that I was talking to people and considering whether or not to nominate when nominations are opened,” Margo said.

“Nominations are not yet open, and I am still talking to people. Whatever my decision, the board [of Deputies] has always been, and will remain, entirely non-partisan.”

However, declared Wentworth ALP hopeful Steven Lewis — himself a long-time member of the JBD — said Margo should show his hand for the sake of the Jewish community.

“It is not a difficult decision to make,” Lewis said. “You are either running or not, it is about time he declared his intentions to the Jewish community.”

He added: “I think it would be very unfortunate if two seniors members of the Sydney Jewish community are in conflict over preselection.”

While Margo only signed on as an ALP member a few weeks ago, The AJN understands he has been courting members of the ALP Left in Wentworth.

He has circulated a leaflet to members detailing his “progressive activities”, including his participation in the Save the Franklin Dam campaign, his contribution to the Free Mandela movement, and his pro-bono work on civil proceedings against Holocaust denier Fredrick Toben.

He has also used the JBD as an example of his progressive credentials.

“I have changed culture of the NSW JBD during my presidency; bringing in more Jewish members of the Left and more young people; creating space for freer expression of all view on Israel and Palestine,” the leaflet reads.

The NSW ALP is scheduled to meet on Friday to discuss preselection, and an ALP insider said the only two names in contention as of this week are those of Margo and Lewis.

NAOMI LEVIN

PHOTO: Malcolm Turnbull (left) with Rabbi Elimelech Levy at Sydney’s Lag b’Omer parade. Photo: Reality Media