ID :
69142
Sun, 07/05/2009 - 21:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/69142
The shortlink copeid
EmbattledEmbattled SA Libs leader mulls next moveleader mulls next move
(AAP) Embattled South Australian Liberal Party leader Martin Hamilton-Smith has spent a quiet day with his family as he contemplates his political future in the wake of a disastrous leadership battle.
Mr Hamilton-Smith won Saturday's party vote by just 11 to 10 against leadership
rival and his former deputy Vickie Chapman.
The state opposition leader had called the leadership ballot in an effort to
solidify the party that has been weakened by damaging infighting and persistent
leadership speculation.
Mr Hamilton-Smith immediately called another vote for Wednesday and has so far
refused to confirm whether he will even be a contender.
A spokesman for the opposition leader said Sunday he had spent a quiet day driving
in the Adelaide Hills with his family.
Mr Hamilton-Smith, a former SAS soldier, is married to former school teacher
Stavroula Raptis and they have a son Thomas, aged four.
The spokesman said everyone was having "a cup of tea and a good long think" today,
after an intense week.
When asked if Mr Hamilton-Smith would stand for the leadership position again in
Wednesday's vote, the spokesman said he would "sit down in the office (on Monday)
and work through some options".
The government was also quiet Sunday, after earlier describing the leadership ballot
as "a shambles".
On his Twitter site on Saturday, Premier Mike Rann said the "bitter civil war inside
the SA Libs goes back 40 years".
"They are too busy fighting each other rather than fighting for South Australia," he
said.
Later, the Premier wrote "Lib leadership vote has turned into a shambles.
"They are so divided, so disloyal to each other."
The growing dissent over Mr Hamilton-Smith's performance as leader began several
weeks ago when he presented to parliament documents accusing the government of
accepting illegal donations from a group with ties to the Church of Scientology.
The documents turned out to be forgeries and Mr Hamilton-Smith was forced to make a
public apology.
Defamation action has since been lodged against him.
Plummeting popularity in the polls also prompted the resignation of the party's
environment spokesman Mitch Williams from the frontbench last week.
Mr Hamilton-Smith won Saturday's party vote by just 11 to 10 against leadership
rival and his former deputy Vickie Chapman.
The state opposition leader had called the leadership ballot in an effort to
solidify the party that has been weakened by damaging infighting and persistent
leadership speculation.
Mr Hamilton-Smith immediately called another vote for Wednesday and has so far
refused to confirm whether he will even be a contender.
A spokesman for the opposition leader said Sunday he had spent a quiet day driving
in the Adelaide Hills with his family.
Mr Hamilton-Smith, a former SAS soldier, is married to former school teacher
Stavroula Raptis and they have a son Thomas, aged four.
The spokesman said everyone was having "a cup of tea and a good long think" today,
after an intense week.
When asked if Mr Hamilton-Smith would stand for the leadership position again in
Wednesday's vote, the spokesman said he would "sit down in the office (on Monday)
and work through some options".
The government was also quiet Sunday, after earlier describing the leadership ballot
as "a shambles".
On his Twitter site on Saturday, Premier Mike Rann said the "bitter civil war inside
the SA Libs goes back 40 years".
"They are too busy fighting each other rather than fighting for South Australia," he
said.
Later, the Premier wrote "Lib leadership vote has turned into a shambles.
"They are so divided, so disloyal to each other."
The growing dissent over Mr Hamilton-Smith's performance as leader began several
weeks ago when he presented to parliament documents accusing the government of
accepting illegal donations from a group with ties to the Church of Scientology.
The documents turned out to be forgeries and Mr Hamilton-Smith was forced to make a
public apology.
Defamation action has since been lodged against him.
Plummeting popularity in the polls also prompted the resignation of the party's
environment spokesman Mitch Williams from the frontbench last week.
