Fed: Howard says GST was not an issue in NT election

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2001
Fed: Howard says GST was not an issue in NT election

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has rejected suggestions that the GST was partly to blame
for the swing to Labor in the Northern Territory election.

The prime minister blamed 27 years of Country Liberal Party rule and the issue of One
Nation preferences for the results.

Labor is poised to take power in the Northern Territory for the first time in 27 years
after a swing of about nine per cent against DENIS BURKE'S CLP government at the weekend
poll.

Mr BURKE has claimed anger at the GST was partly to blame for the swing against the
government in the NT.

But Mr HOWARD told a meeting of coalition MPs and Senators that federal issues appeared
to have had little impact on the result.

AAP RTV jg/daw/jn

KEYWORD: POLLNT HOWARD (CANBERRA)

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