Most people, politicians included, do start with menial jobs. I stacked shelves at night and cooked chook at KFC, and literally shovelled sh*t at a mushroom farm.
Here's Brad Crouch of the Advertiser on Malinauskas' rise. It suggests that the SDA do take an interest in their young talent, and groom the ones they want. I can think of quite a few local politicians who were spotted by the SDA as junior workers then mentored for years by the SDA. Kate Ellis is a perfect example. She came to Don Farrell's attention when she was 15, then she was carefully groomed in the ways of the SDA to create a federal parliamentarian who will always and only take the SDA line on any issue.
The SDA faction (Labor Unity) is easily the most disciplined group in the SA parliament. It's powerful in federal parliament too. Foer example, John Hogg, the President of the Senate, is an SDA man among many others.
While still in school Mr Malinauskas started work at the bottom, getting a casual job aged 15 at Mitcham Woolies where SDA organisers quickly signed him to the union. Intelligent and articulate, he came to the attention of union organisers and volunteered to be a shop floor representative.
"I loved my job at Woolies; it was a great place to work and I made some great mates in the seven years I worked there," he said.
"While at Woolies, I put my hand up to be the night delegate, a role I enjoyed. That led to me meeting (SDA boss) Don Farrell (now a senator), who offered me a job visiting night workers as an SDA rep."
Mr Farrell - referred to in the ALP as "the godfather" - took a shine to him and Mr Malinauskas rose through the ranks to become assistant secretary while earning a degree in commerce at Adelaide University.
In an email to the Sunday Mail, Senator Farrell wrote: "While studying at university, Peter was working as a night filler at Woolworths in Mitcham, where he became a SDA delegate.
"Showing obvious talents, a good work ethic and a strong commitment to speaking up for workers' rights and conditions, Peter was offered a job with the SDA as a union rep.
"It was always clear that he understood the concerns of retail workers. Now SDA secretary, Peter continues to display his dedication to standing up for the wages and conditions of retail workers."
Mr Malinauskas was equally as effusive about his boss.
"Don worked at the union for 32 years and was extremely generous in showing me the ropes," he said.
"He mentored me when I worked at the SDA."
In 2008, aged 27, Mr Malinauskas became state secretary when Mr Farrell left to become a senator - taking then-senator Linda Kirk's spot when she flouted the SDA's Catholic roots by being sympathetic to the morning-after abortion pill.
Asked about issues such as gay marriage, stem-cell research, euthanasia and abortion, Mr Malinauskas said his personal views would be "considered socially conservative".
"I didn't get involved in the Labor movement because of any of these issues," he said. "I believe in the fair go but I get frustrated with left-wing ideology that focuses more on imposing equality than providing for equality of opportunity. This is why I'm passionate about education - universal access to quality schooling gives everyone the chance to succeed.*"
Despite being tagged as a "faceless man" in the state's political cauldron, Mr Malinauskas was elected SA's youngest ALP president, is on the WorkCover board and was tagged by gossip columns as one of SA's most eligible bachelors before he started dating lawyer Annabel West.
As for
Farrell instructed Malinauskas to get rid of Rann in October 2011 and replace him with Jay Weatherill.
The only part in dispute is 'Farrell instructed'. I have no proof that he did but I have two solid opinions. Furthermore, Manilauskas is Farrell's man in Adelaide.
Remember too that Rann wanted to go in March 2012 and had anointed John Rau as his successor. Everyone was happy with that except - the SDA.
* I suggest that Manilauskas' mantra about education was learned from his mentor Don Farrell. If you look back through Catholic history in Australia, you'll find Archbishop Mannix and Father William Hackett SJ. Both believed fervently in education of workers. Farrell is close to Cardinal George Pell and othert conservative Catholics, who believe in education as the best weapon against the great foe, godless Communism. If you think this is all dated rubbish, try reading some labour history.:
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/201 ... bor-in-sa/
Now with Beer Garden for our smoking patrons.
