Fed: WA leaves door open for One Nation preferences

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2001
Fed: WA leaves door open for One Nation preferences

West Australian MPs have left open the option of future preference deals with One Nation
despite the anti-government swing in the Northern Territory election.

WA Liberal Senator ROSS LIGHTFOOT says the WA Liberals will continue to make up their own minds.

The WA Liberals have voted to allow candidates to do preference deals with One Nation
at the coming federal election, but the state executive is yet to endorse the proposal.

Senator LIGHTFOOT has told ABC radio his federal colleagues are a bit limp-wristed
when it comes to making such decisions.

Meanwhile, federal Liberal Party president SHANE STONE has told ABC radio it was wrong
for NT Chief Minister DENIS BURKE to allow One Nation to be placed ahead of Labor on how
to vote cards in the weekend election.

NT Labor Leader CLARE MARTIN is poised to win government for the ALP for the first
time in 26 years after the ruling Country Liberal Party suffered a nine per cent anti-government
swing.

Mr BURKE has apologised for directing preferences to One Nation and conceded the decision
influenced the election result.

AAP RTV jg/daw/jtb/jn

KEYWORD: POLLNT FEDERAL (CANBERRA)

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