Vic: One Nation could control Upper House, Napthine

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2001
Vic: One Nation could control Upper House, Napthine

Victoria's state opposition says One Nation may gain control in Victoria's parliament
if the BRACKS government pushes ahead with upper house reform.

Opposition leader DENIS NAPTHINE says the election results in Western Australia send
a strong message to the Victorian government to abandon reforms similar to that state.

Dr NAPTHINE says changing Victoria's electoral system will give One Nation the biggest
leg up in Victoria.

Dr NAPTHINE says if Mr BRACKS introduces proportional representation to the Victorian
upper house parties like One Nation can gain power.

But the Premier says if the Opposition has a genuine concern about Upper House reforms,
they should submit them to a constitutional commission.

Mr BRACKS says the opposition is opposing Upper House reform in order to protect MPs'
eight-year terms in the legislative council.

Mr BRACKS has also rejected the suggestion One Nation has meaningful voter support in Victoria.

He says in the 1999 state election One Nation attracted only 0.2 to 0.3 per cent of the vote.

Meanwhile, Dr NAPTHINE says the Liberal party will put One Nation last on every ticket
throughout the state.

AAP RTV cmc/jlw/jtb/jn

KEYWORD: NATION VIC (MELBOURNE)

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