Qld; Beattie says its business as usual after treasurer resigns

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2000
Qld; Beattie says its business as usual after treasurer resigns

Queensland Premier PETER BEATTIE has insisted it's business as usual despite increasing
turmoil for his government.

Treasurer DAVID HAMILL announced yesterday he would resign at the next state election,
citing family reasons.

Mr HAMILL is the fifth ALP candidate and the third Labor MP to pull out as the government
struggles to cope with allegations of electoral rorting made at the Shepherdson Inquiry.

Mr BEATTIE has described Mr HAMILL's resignation as a character-building exercise
and says he's known for months that Mr HAMILL had wanted to retire from politics.

Speaking on ABC Radio, Mr BEATTIE said the timing of Mr HAMILL's resignation yesterday
is because Labor's state administrative committee had met last night and it had been silly
just to call for nominations for four seats.

Mr BEATTIE has also dismissed calls by Opposition Leader ROB BORBIDGE for an early election.

AAP RTV rad/sc/et

KEYWORD: HAMILL (BRISBANE)

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