FED: Dems to run candidate in Ryan byelection

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2000
FED: Dems to run candidate in Ryan byelection

CANBERRA, Dec 21 AAP - The Australian Democrats today attacked Labor for indicating
it might not run a candidate in Queensland's Ryan by-election, and promised they would
stand a candidate.

Democrats Queensland Senator Andrew Bartlett said Labor's hesitancy was a clear sign
of Opposition Leader Kim Beazley's lack of leadership and vision.

"The fact that Labor is hesitating at giving this by-election contest a red hot go,
shows how little the ALP has to offer the electorate and how spooked they are by the electoral
roll rorting allegations," said Senator Bartlett.

Yesterday Mr Beazley suggested Labor might not contest the by-election for the safe
Liberal seat, caused by the resignation of outgoing Defence Minister John Moore.

He said the by-election would not be much of a test of the ALP's support in Queensland
and the party would consider its options.

But Senator Bartlett said Mr Beazley was completely wrong about the seat being an indicator.

"Ryan is held by the government by less than 10 per cent," he said.

"At the last federal election there were five seats in Queensland where there was a
larger swing than this.

He said by-elections traditionally brought even greater swings against the government
than general elections.

"This would be Labor's chance to test the electorate's response to the prime minister's
many broken promises and they may walk away.

"The Democrats will certainly be running a strong candidate and a strong campaign to
ensure that the voters of Ryan have at least one credible alternative vision to the divisive,
dismal approach which the Liberals offer."

AAP msl/daw/mg

KEYWORD: RYAN DEMOCRATS

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.