QLD: Labor seat could be lost in redistribution: opposition

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-1998
QLD: Labor seat could be lost in redistribution: opposition

BRISBANE, Dec 7 AAP - One of eight northern Brisbane seats held by senior Labor figures,
including the Premier, could be abolished in a redistribution of Queenslands 89 seats, the
opposition said today.

Liberal leader David Watson said Labor had not been able to decide which of the figures
would lose their seat in the redrawing process.

But ALP state secretary Mike Kaiser said Dr Watson was making a "pathetic and sad point",
and it was just as logical that a Liberal-held seat could be abolished.

The seats in question, according to Dr Watson, included those represented by Premier Peter
Beattie, government whip Terry Sullivan, three senior ministers and a former Speaker.

Dr Watson said all parties had conceded that stagnant population growth in the eight seats
would necessitate one of the electorates being abolished.

"Its patently obvious a deal could not be struck as to which current Labor seat would be
squeezed out of existence," Dr Watson said.

"The coalition has had to make some difficult decisions too, but Labor has put this in the
too-hard basket."

However, Mr Kaiser said: "Thats David Watsons view of what might happen. Its a pretty
pathetic and sad point".

"We acknowledged in our submission that a Brisbane northside seat probably needs to be
abolished but we dont express a view (of which one)," Mr Kaiser said.

"It may well be the Liberal-held seat of Aspley."

Public comment on submissions close on December 18, and the Electoral Commission Queensland
(ECQ) was not due to meet until early in the New Year to discuss the redistribution, ECQ
commissioner Des OShea said today.

Under the Electoral Act, redistributions must be conducted when one third of seats were
"out of quota" for two consecutive months, Mr OShea said.

The redrawing was expected to be completed about mid-next year.

The last redistribution was done in 1991.

AAP sd/kr

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