FED: Liberals endorse Howard stand on mandatory

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2000
FED: Liberals endorse Howard stand on mandatory

The Liberal Party federal convention has endorsed Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD'S refusal
to intervene to overturn mandatory sentencing laws in Western Australia and the Northern
Territory.

Mr HOWARD earlier this week forged a deal with Northern Territory Chief Minister DENIS
BURKE to ease the impact of the controversial laws on young offenders.

Earlier today, about 100 protesters angry at the laws, uranium mining and Aboriginal
issues attempted to storm the conference venue at the Melbourne Convention Centre.

Liberal Party President SHANE STONE, who wrote the NT's mandatory sentencing laws,
used his opening speech at the conference to criticise the media for their focus on the
issue.

And Liberal Party national secretary LYNTON CROSBY supported Mr STONE'S view that the
media was out of touch and potentially hostile to the Liberal Party.

And he says the next election will be difficult for the Liberals, with a swing of about
one per cent enough to lose government federally.

He said the next federal election, due late next year, won't be fought on the GST,
but on issues the government determines.

AAP RTV jg/wz/jn

KEYWORD: LIBERALS (MELBOURNE)

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