Qld: Qld treasurer quits in blow to Beattie

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2000
Qld: Qld treasurer quits in blow to Beattie

By Janelle Miles and Barbara Adam

BRISBANE, Dec 12 AAP - Queensland Treasurer David Hamill today dealt another blow to
the Beattie government's chances of survival with the announcement he would retire from
state politics at the next election.

Mr Hamill, 43 and a Labor MP since 1983, said he was resigning due to family reasons.

The resignation of Mr Hamill means Labor will be seeking five new candidates for the
next state election, including a replacement for deputy premier Jim Elder who quit after
being implicated at the electoral rorts inquiry.

Opposition Leader Rob Borbidge said Mr Hamill's resignation meant Premier Peter Beattie's
government, severely tarnished by the Shepherdson Inquiry into alleged ALP vote rigging,
was disintegrating and an election was near.

"There's one question that has to be asked and that is why has Mr Hamill decided to
announce he's leaving politics and leaving the Beattie government now?" Mr Borbidge said
to reporters.

"Every man and woman is heading for the lifeboat, this government is disintegrating."

Mr Borbidge said Mr Beattie, who must go to the polls by mid-2001, should call an election
for late January or early February.

Liberal leader David Watson said the government was in crisis mode.

"They're dropping like flies," he said.

"This government has nowhere to go, this government is in its final days."

Asked whether he was deserting a sinking ship, Mr Hamill said: "I'm quite confident
that the Beattie government will be back for another term and perhaps another term after
that.

"I'm confident that Peter will lead the government to a smashing victory next year."

Announcing his resignation, Mr Hamill, accompanied by his wife Pat, said: "Pat and
I came to this decision over quite a long period of time."

The father of three sons added: "There's no lack of commitment on my part to Peter
and the government.

"Our decision is about us and our family; we think it's time for a change."

Mr Hamill said he would remain treasurer and MP for Ipswich until the next state election.

Mr Hamill said he was looking forward to a new career but did not specify what he would do.

"I've always said that I was not going to be carried out feet first from the Queensland
parliament," he said.

Nominations for Labor candidates at vacant state seats were being called for at a meeting
of the ALP administrative committee in Brisbane tonight.

Mr Beattie said he regretted Mr Hamill would not be part of his team at the next election.

The premier paid tribute to Mr Hamill's role as treasurer and said he had presided
over Australia's fastest growing economy.

But he said the resignations of Mr Hamill and the impending departure of another senior
minister, Paul Braddy, meant that he had the chance to introduce new blood to his front
bench.

"With both David Hamill and Paul Braddy not standing again, there will be room for
two new faces on the front bench," Mr Beattie said.

"This is about rebuilding."

AAP jhm/bja/sc/apm/de

KEYWORD: HAMILL LEAD

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