Qld: Tragedy won't hurt campaign, says Flegg

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2006
Qld: Tragedy won't hurt campaign, says Flegg

By Laine Clark

BRISBANE, Aug 31 AAP - Acting Queensland Coalition leader Bruce Flegg believes Lawrence
Springborg's absence due to a family tragedy will have no "political ramifications" for
the September 9 election campaign.

Mr Springborg abruptly ended campaigning in Cairns yesterday to console his wife Linda
over the sudden death in Ipswich of her father, Ernest Kullrich.

The Queensland Nationals leader will remain with his family, including his four young
children, on their property at Yelarbon, south-west of Brisbane, until Saturday.

He will then officially launch the Coalition's campaign in Brisbane on Sunday, alongside
Prime Minister John Howard.

"I don't think this tragedy should be interpreted in terms of any political consequences,"

Dr Flegg said today.

"Clearly this is a short interruption to Lawrence being able to attend to his campaign
commitments.

"Myself and (Nationals Deputy Leader) Jeff Seeney will ensure the campaign commitments
are all met.

"I don't think there will be any political ramifications for it. This is a personal tragedy."

Dr Flegg said the Coalition was due to launch a "negative campaign" against Labor today
but postponed it for 24 hours out of respect for Mr Springborg's loss.

Premier Peter Beattie adhered to Dr Flegg's suggestion that negative Labor TV ads criticising
Mr Springborg be suspended for 24 hours.

"This is a mark of respect for a tragedy that nobody has any control over, that could
hit any one of us at any time," Dr Flegg said.

"It's a bit like the First World War, where you come on Christmas Day and you hop out
of the trenches and you treat each other with the respect that Christmas Day deserves.

"It's a very positive thing that has been done today."

The death of his 77-year-old father-in-law follows the death of Mr Springborg's father
earlier this year.

Mr Springborg suffered the loss of his close friend and senior media adviser Greg Jackson
in 2004 to suicide.

Dr Flegg said Mr Springborg was holding up as well as could be expected.

"Clearly this sort of event would shake any family," he said.

"(But) this is not the first tragedy they have had to face together this year.

"It transcends any political event of the day. Lawrence's first concern was for his
wife and kids.

"Lawrence is committed to his role as Opposition and Coalition leader.

"He is a strong, resourceful person but he is a caring family man - it is going to shake you up."

Meanwhile, Mr Seeney said at Yeppoon today that Mr Springborg was "undoubtedly" the
Queensland Nationals' best campaigner but did not expect the Coalition leader's absence
to dramatically effect their campaign.

"We are certainly not a one-man band in the National Party," he told ABC Radio.

"We will miss Lawrence for a couple of days. He is undoubtedly the best campaigner we have.

"However, we have a very strong team that will adjust their campaigns today and tomorrow
to ensure that our campaign will continue and we will ensure that the job gets done in
Lawrence's absence."

AAP lc/cjh/sp

KEYWORD: POLL QLD SPRINGBORG NIGHTLEAD

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