ID :
191574
Tue, 06/28/2011 - 14:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/191574
The shortlink copeid
Libs' public spat a bad look: Barnett
SYDNEY (AAP) - June 28 - West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says the "public spat" over the Liberal Party presidency was not a good look and has warned against future contestable elections.
It came as defeated Liberal Party president candidate Peter Reith criticised Mr Barnett for not tackling industrial relations reform and trying to curb "militant unionism in the construction industry".
On Tuesday Mr Barnett said the Liberal Party's federal council made a "sound decision" to re-elect Alan Stockdale, who beat Mr Reith by one vote.
But he said the decision to have a publicly contested election was a bad idea and it should have been handled through a "conciliatory transformation process".
"I think a public spat over who's president is not a good look and it distracted away from the anniversary of Julia Gillard's year as prime minister, which was not a successful one," he said.
On the issue of industrial relations, Mr Barnett said business, workers and unions would all agree there had been too many changes in recent years.
"Most people would say it's not perfect, far from it, but let's have a bit of industrial peace," he said.
Mr Barnett said industrial relations had become primarily a federal issue, with the state government limited to areas relating to small business and public sector employees.
It came as defeated Liberal Party president candidate Peter Reith criticised Mr Barnett for not tackling industrial relations reform and trying to curb "militant unionism in the construction industry".
On Tuesday Mr Barnett said the Liberal Party's federal council made a "sound decision" to re-elect Alan Stockdale, who beat Mr Reith by one vote.
But he said the decision to have a publicly contested election was a bad idea and it should have been handled through a "conciliatory transformation process".
"I think a public spat over who's president is not a good look and it distracted away from the anniversary of Julia Gillard's year as prime minister, which was not a successful one," he said.
On the issue of industrial relations, Mr Barnett said business, workers and unions would all agree there had been too many changes in recent years.
"Most people would say it's not perfect, far from it, but let's have a bit of industrial peace," he said.
Mr Barnett said industrial relations had become primarily a federal issue, with the state government limited to areas relating to small business and public sector employees.
