Fed: Howard "poll teasing" on election date: Bartlett

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2004
Fed: Howard "poll teasing" on election date: Bartlett

By Krystyna Pollard

SYDNEY, Aug 28 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard's "poll teasing" was distorting economic
management issues, the Australian Democrats said.

Mr Howard has so far refused to say whether he plans to call an election this weekend,
which would send voters to the polls on either October 2 or 9.

Democrats' leader Andrew Bartlett said it was appalling that the date of the next federal
election depended on the whim of the prime minister.

"This day-to-day teasing of the public - this poll teasing - is unacceptable and I
think the vast majority of people would prefer to know when the date is well in advance,"

he said.

"I think it's appalling to have something as central as the country deciding its next
government and its next Senate on the day-to-day whim of the prime minister and what suits
him is just disgraceful."

Mr Howard today triggered speculation he was about to call a federal election as early
as tomorrow by announcing plans to return to Canberra a day before Parliament is due to
resume on Monday.

It is understood Governor-General Michael Jeffery will also return to Canberra from
Queensland late today, meaning both men will be in Canberra early tomorrow.

Mr Bartlett said Mr Howard's coyness on the issue was distorting important economic
management issues.

The Reserve Bank was less likely to put up interest rates if an election was pending
and voters could be waiting until March or April next year, he said.

"Things like central economic issues and economic management issues are being distorted
by the prime minister's political agenda," he said.

Fixed four-year terms would alleviate the problem and the Democrats had legislation
in the Senate to achieve that, he said.

Opposition Leader Mark Latham has indicated the opposition's support for fixed federal terms.

"Even Mr Howard said a few weeks ago that he was still only marginally in favour of
the current system, and that's probably because it suits him," Mr Bartlett said.

"He'll probably become a convert once he's out of politics."

AAP kp/rgr

KEYWORD: POLL BARTLETT

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