Fed: Labor MPs start meeting

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2003
Fed: Labor MPs start meeting

Federal Labor MPs and Senators have gone into their meeting to vote for a new leader.

Backers of the two leadership contenders KIM BEAZLEY and MARK LATHAM say the vote's
too close to call.

Senator JOHN HOGG and Tasmanian MP HARRY QUICK were first to arrive at the caucus room
20 minutes before the meeting of 92 MPs and senators was due to start at 9.30am.

A smiling deputy leader JENNY MACKLIN arrived with New South Wales left MP ANTHONY ALBANESE.

Mr BEAZLEY arrived with a group of nine key supporters.

Mr LATHAM arrived a short time later, alongside former leader SIMON CREAN and a large
contingent of supporters.

The leadership ballot follows last week's decision by Mr CREAN to resign after party
elders said he'd lost the support of a majority of the caucus.

The latest polls suggest voters would prefer Mr BEAZLEY over Mr LATHAM in Labor's top job.

AAP RTV rmg/sb/jmt

KEYWORD: LABOR MEET (CANBERRA)

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