Fed: Politicians should be free to switch parties, says Abbott

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2006
Fed: Politicians should be free to switch parties, says Abbott

Health Minister TONY ABBOTT has backed Nationals senator JULIAN MCGAURAN'S controversial
decision to defect to the Liberal Party .. saying politicians should feel free to switch
parties.

Mr ABBOTT'S told ABC radio .. politicians shouldn't be locked into staying with the
one party forever.

And he doesn't believe the coalition between the Liberals and Nationals will suffer
as a result of Senator MCGAURAN'S defection.





Senator MCGAURAN sparked outrage within the Nationals and among some Liberals for choosing
to jump ship last week.

The move by the Victorian senator also cost Queensland Nationals MP DE-ANNE KELLY a
place in JOHN HOWARD'S reshuffled ministry.

AAP RTV bt/nf/drp/tm

KEYWORD: NATIONALS ABBOTT (SYDNEY)

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