- Aug 2, 2001
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http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=54861
Paul Omodei today pulled out of the race for leadership of the State Liberal Party, leaving Troy Buswell to triumph over Rob Johnson in the resulting leadership vote.
Dawesville MLA Kim Hames was selected as deputy Liberal leader over shadow environment and planning minister Steve Thomas.
Parliamentary secretary for the Liberal Party Ray Halligan made the announcement just after midday today.
He said Mr Omodei moved for a leadership spill this morning, but declined to re-nominate for the leadership for the good of the party.
There was more drama this morning with Murdoch MLA Trevor Sprigg, the shadow sport and recreation minister, suffering a heart attack on the way to the meeting.
The meeting was held up for 25 minutes as the party waited for Mr Sprigg, who had earlier this morning confirmed he would be attending.
Members were later informed by South Perth MLA John McGrath, who is good friends with Mr Sprigg, that he had been rushed to Fremantle Hospital earlier this morning.
A Fremantle Hospital spokeswoman confirmed that Mr Sprigg died a short time ago.
Mr Omodei agreed to the party room meeting on Tuesday at the urging of Mr Buswell, who was widely tipped by political analysts and senior Liberal MPs to win the leadership vote.
Mr Omodei’s leadership had been under pressure for months for failing to get traction against the government and consistently dismal ratings in personal opinion polls.
But Mr Buswell’s leadership bid was derailed in the past fortnight as revelations emerged of his drunken antics at Parliament House, which included snapping the bra-strap of a female staffer.
When the allegations surfaced, Mr Buswell ruled himself out of the leadership, claiming he lacked the experience for the position.
But after cutting short a family holiday to Japan on Tuesday to confront the crisis, Mr Buswell threw himself back into the leadership race.
Mr Omodei was nominated by the member for Bunbury, John Castrilli, but declined the nomination. He plans to stay on and continue to serve the Liberal Party.
MICHAEL BENNETT
Edit: Just to add.....
Seems Buswell's election as leader has already claimed it's first scalp.
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=54754
The State Liberal party leadership controversy has already claimed an unlikely scalp, with Carine MLA Katie Hodson-Thomas announcing her shock retirement from politics at the end of her current term.
Ms Hodon-Thomas became embroiled in a bitter leadership contest between leader Paul Omodei and his deputy Troy Buswell when she claimed Mr Buswell had made inappropriate remarks to her in front of a “large number” of male colleagues.
Paul Omodei today pulled out of the race for leadership of the State Liberal Party, leaving Troy Buswell to triumph over Rob Johnson in the resulting leadership vote.
Dawesville MLA Kim Hames was selected as deputy Liberal leader over shadow environment and planning minister Steve Thomas.
Parliamentary secretary for the Liberal Party Ray Halligan made the announcement just after midday today.
He said Mr Omodei moved for a leadership spill this morning, but declined to re-nominate for the leadership for the good of the party.
There was more drama this morning with Murdoch MLA Trevor Sprigg, the shadow sport and recreation minister, suffering a heart attack on the way to the meeting.
The meeting was held up for 25 minutes as the party waited for Mr Sprigg, who had earlier this morning confirmed he would be attending.
Members were later informed by South Perth MLA John McGrath, who is good friends with Mr Sprigg, that he had been rushed to Fremantle Hospital earlier this morning.
A Fremantle Hospital spokeswoman confirmed that Mr Sprigg died a short time ago.
Mr Omodei agreed to the party room meeting on Tuesday at the urging of Mr Buswell, who was widely tipped by political analysts and senior Liberal MPs to win the leadership vote.
Mr Omodei’s leadership had been under pressure for months for failing to get traction against the government and consistently dismal ratings in personal opinion polls.
But Mr Buswell’s leadership bid was derailed in the past fortnight as revelations emerged of his drunken antics at Parliament House, which included snapping the bra-strap of a female staffer.
When the allegations surfaced, Mr Buswell ruled himself out of the leadership, claiming he lacked the experience for the position.
But after cutting short a family holiday to Japan on Tuesday to confront the crisis, Mr Buswell threw himself back into the leadership race.
Mr Omodei was nominated by the member for Bunbury, John Castrilli, but declined the nomination. He plans to stay on and continue to serve the Liberal Party.
MICHAEL BENNETT
Edit: Just to add.....
Seems Buswell's election as leader has already claimed it's first scalp.
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=54754
The State Liberal party leadership controversy has already claimed an unlikely scalp, with Carine MLA Katie Hodson-Thomas announcing her shock retirement from politics at the end of her current term.
Ms Hodon-Thomas became embroiled in a bitter leadership contest between leader Paul Omodei and his deputy Troy Buswell when she claimed Mr Buswell had made inappropriate remarks to her in front of a “large number” of male colleagues.
