The call has come from the Armidale branch of the ALP, which has pointed to Mr Torbay having received political campaign contributions from UNE Chancellor, John Cassidy.

Branch president Tony Ramsay said that ‘proper process and procedure would strongly suggest that Mr Torbay should remove himself from any central role in both the conflict and ultimate resolution’.

But the MP has labelled the claim a ‘cheap shot’.

“There is clearly no conflict of interest,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate that we get this cheap shot at a time when we should be trying to assist the university through these difficult times.

“I would urge the ALP branch to focus their energies with all of us on that.”

Mr Torbay had called the meeting of the full standing committee of the UNE Council which led to Sir Laurence Street being brought in to sort out the managerial impasse between Mr Cassidy and Vice-Chancellor Alan Pettigrew.

The council has since directed that ‘any public comment on these matters’ be made only by Deputy chancellor, James Harris, and Mr Torbay.

This has also caused ‘disquiet’ within the ALP branch, according to president, Tony Ramsay.

“Public records demonstrate that Mr Torbay has received financial support from Mr Cassidy to the tune of $26,245 since 2003, which raises questions about impartiality,” Mr Ramsay said.

“While Mr Torbay had every right to receive electoral assistance in the last two elections, which he rightly declared, this pecuniary interest potentially establishes a conflict of interest.”