The scandal-plagued Health Services Union is poised to rejoin the Labor Party in Victoria, as part of Bill Shorten's expansion of his right-wing power base in his home state.

After five years in political exile, the union – which trades as the Health Workers Union – has applied to re-affiliate to Labor.

The HSU represents low-paid health workers such as hospital cleaners and orderlies. Credit:Jerry Galea

The application will be considered and, probably, approved at the party's state conference in November.

The application was made by secretary Diana Asmar, a controversial figure in her own right and close political supporter of Mr Shorten and Kimberley Kitching, the lawyer preselected on Thursday to replace former Victorian Senator and right powerbroker, Stephen Conroy.