Audrey Young: Labour in damage control

Labour leader Phil Goff. Photo / Natalie Slade

The Labour leadership is seething about an anonymous note sent this morning to parliamentary press gallery offices suggesting the party is in strife with the unions.

It suggests that leader Phil Goff is about to be confronted by the caucus unionists over his support for National's proposal to make the fourth week of annual leave tradeable - and that many believe there will now be a challenge before the next election.

And it suggests that unionists will try to have George Hawkins de-selected in the coming candidate selection process in Manurewa and that Hawkins is threatening a byelection if that happens.

It was news to me that Goff actually supports the ability of workers to well the fourth week but reportedly he made supportive comments nine days ago.

Goff is usually away from Parliament on a Thursday but sources say he is heading back to Wellington to handle what is turning into a mini-crisis, with the entire press gallery chasing the story.

Evidence of disunity in any party is poison - and Clark kept a tight lid on it.

Heading into question time, deputy Annette King said the note was a piece of malicious mischief and that she was following some leads about it.

David Cunliffe, when asked, ruled out challenging Goff before the next election.

George Hawkins is not saying anything of the note but NZPA says he is not discounting the possibility of a challenge to him.

The notes were hand delivered by mailroom staff in airmail envelopes with "Minister of Finance" marked on the outside.

They have no stamp on them and were posted internally.

They look very old. The notes could have come from a National source who is either spreading lies or has picked up some intelligence from Labour, or from a disaffected Labour supporter.