Tasmanian Liberal leader denies plotting

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2000
Tasmanian Liberal leader denies plotting

Embattled Tasmanian Liberal leader SUE NAPIER has denied there is any plotting against
her and has declared she will lead the party to the next election.

Mrs NAPIER says local media reports that disillusioned MPs are counting numbers to
prepare for a leadership challenge are a beat-up.

It follows the weekend meeting of the Liberal State Council.

Mrs NAPIER easily beat BOB CHEEK in July last year to become the first woman to lead
a major Tasmanian party.

But the party has remained in the doldrums, languishing below 30 per cent in the polls,
split by branch-stacking claims and rarely putting the government under pressure.

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD, who opened the council, didn't conceal his impatience with
the state party -- though not necessarily Mrs NAPIER -- over its failure to have a candidate
up and running in the marginal federal seat of Bass.

Mrs NAPIER says she has the full support of the parliamentary party.

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KEYWORD: LIBERALS TAS (HOBART)

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