Qld; Democrats unhappy about Nats preference deals with ON

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2001
Qld; Democrats unhappy about Nats preference deals with ON

The Australian Democrats have criticised Queensland's Coalition over reports that at
least six National Party electorate councils had made preference deals with One Nation.

The news has delighted Labor Premier PETER BEATTIE and angered Opposition Leader ROB
BORBIDGE who wants candidates to put One Nation last on how-to-vote cards.

Eleven One Nation MPs were elected to Queensland parliament in 1998 on National Party
preferences.

Democrats candidate for the Brisbane Seat of Ashgrove, BRETT MATTHEWS says he was hoping
the Nationals would have learned from the 1998 election.

But he added that it was difficult to ask Democrats voters to put Labor ahead of the
Coalition in preferences after the recent vote-rigging scandal.

The Democrats have announced they will be running six candidates at the February 17
state election.





Yesterday, Australian Democrats state campaign director MARIANNE DICKIE said the party's
how-to-vote card would put the Democrats first, the Greens second and either the Labor
or Coalition candidate third on either side of the ticket.

Independents would follow that, with One Nation breakaway party, the City-Country Alliance,
and One Nation listed last.

AAP RTV rad/sc/jn

KEYWORD: POLLQLD DEMOCRATS (BRISBANE)

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