FED: Beazley urges protest vote against Kennett

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-1999
FED: Beazley urges protest vote against Kennett

CANBERRA, Aug 25 AAP - Federal Labor leader Kim Beazley today urged a protest vote against
Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett.

"We're the underdogs; We're a long way behind in the number of seats and behind in the
polls," Mr Beazley told journalists.

"So this presents the Victorian people with an opportunity to make a statement about Jeff
Kennett's neglect of the basic services that state governments operate.

"For the last four years, we've had from Jeff Kennett endless expressions of attitude and
no delivery on the basic services and needs of state governments."

He said Victorian educational standards were nearly Australia's lowest and the premier was
inducing a hospital crisis, particularly in the country, to undermine Medicare.

Mr Kennett yesterday called an election for September 18 during the football finals.

"You've got to put a question mark over the level of pride a government puts in its
services that in a state like Victoria it has to conceal its campaign behind the footy
finals," Mr Beazley said.

AAP rmg/it/br

KEYWORD: POLLVIC BEAZLEY (CARRIED EARLIER)

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