Fed: Ryan by election will be risky Howard

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2000
Fed: Ryan by election will be risky Howard

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD admits his government faces a risk with the upcoming by-election
in the blue-ribbon Queensland seat of Ryan.

The by-election will follow the imminent retirement of Defence Minister JOHN MOORE,
who's expected to leave parliament early next year.

Mr MOORE was under political pressure earlier in the year when he fought off an attempt
to defeat his preselection for the seat.

There have also been allegations of branch stacking in Ryan.

Mr HOWARD says he expects jostling for pre-selection in the seat and concedes there
will be political risks.

But he's told ABC Radio that nothing in politics is risk-free.

Queensland Liberal leader DAVID WATSON said yesterday he expected the preselection
ballot for Ryan, which Mr MOORE has held since 1975, to be extremely competitive.

Mr HOWARD says the timing of the byelection for Ryan is up to Mr MOORE.

AAP RTV dep/hn/

KEYWORD: RESHUFFLE RYAN (CANBERRA)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.