LABOR’s National Secretary has written to supporters asking them to reach into their pockets so the party can create its “own news service”, just like Crikey.

George Wright said they were seeking donations — and an editor — to get the new online Labor Herald off the ground.

SHORTEN: Tony Abbott cannot be trusted

“You’ve told us you want more factual information about what Tony Abbott and his government are doing and you want the opportunity to have your say,” Mr Wright said in an email to supporters.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT A LABOR ONLINE NEWS SITE? LEAVE YOUR COMMENT BELOW

Lifestyle editor: Bob Carr #LaborHerald — Kemal Atlay (@kemal_atlay) April 30, 2014

“You’ve told us that you can see the Labor message isn’t making it through the mainstream

media and we have to produce our own news service.

“I agree,” he said.

But there is a “catch”.

Social Affairs Editor Jessica Rudd #LaborHerald — Osman Faruqi (@oz_f) April 30, 2014

“We don’t get the big corporate donations the Liberal Party gets and we need to hire someone experienced as an editor so we can do this properly,” the National Secretary argued.

Their job would be to write both “useful and interesting” articles on issues like the Commission on audit and cuts to pensions, he said, for a salary of about $95,000 a year.

Entertainment Editor: Craig Thomson #LaborHerald — Wes Mountain (@therevmountain) April 30, 2014

Those who were keen to become foundation subscribers would need to donate $22.60 a month, but they’d be willing to take as little as a $10 donation.

“As well as the latest news we want to make sure we hear from you and our editor will be in charge of finding the very best content submitted by the public and making sure it gets published,” Mr Wright said.

@oz_f property editor: edward obeid — Adam Brereton (@adambrereton) April 30, 2014

“We’ll send a daily bulletin out to everyone who signs up so you can get up to date information on what’s happening each day. A bit like Labor’s own Crikey.”

“It will be no nonsense and it won’t be filtered through the mainstream media.

“I believe it’s really important that we do this. We need our own news and we need a place where we can hear each other’s views.”

Originally published as Crikey! Labor to create its own news