Labor leader Anthony Albanese is playing down tensions within his party over its position on coal .Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Senior Labor sources toldThe Age andThe Sydney Morning Herald Mr Albanese was angry at media reports a group of 20,including nine shadow ministers,were meeting regularly to raise concerns at the policy direction of the party.
But one Labor figure close to Mr Albanese said it has"embarassed"the group involved and strengthened his position within caucus."He's not angry,"the source said."Just disappointed".
The Labor leader was forced to play down suggestions of rats within the Labor ranks on Thursday,following news a group of Right faction MPs were regularly caucusing to influence the party's position on blue-collar industry.
Several MPs said they had been"chastised"by either Mr Albanese or his allies after Ten News revealed they had dined regularly with colleagues at Canberra's Otis restaurant to discuss its climate and resources policy.
Mr Albanese met face-to-face with Mr Fitzgibbon,Labor's resources spokesman,on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the revelations.
But members of the group hosed down any direct threat to Mr Albanese's leadership,suggesting they were"trying to help him by pushing for a centrist policy".