Fed: Ridgeway to reconsider leadership contest
CANBERRA, Aug 23 AAP - Australian Democrats deputy leader Aden Ridgeway will reconsiderhis decision to stand for leader after the interim appointment of Brian Greig in the topjob.
Senator Ridgeway said today that the decision went against the views of the party's members.
"Obviously I'm going to reconsider many things between now and Wednesday of next weekabout whether to contest the leadership and a number of other issues," Senator Ridgewaytold reporters.
He said he accepted the national executive's decision to choose Senator Greig but arguedthat their decision overruled the wishes of members.
"I want to say I think the national executive is out of sync but I will give SenatorGreig my full support," he said.
"What's most important at this time is that the party doesn't need to further rip itself apart."
Senator Ridgeway said he had not thought about leaving the party, regardless of theoutcome of the leadership ballot in several weeks.
"I'm not speculating on those issues because I haven't seen what the outcome is goingto be in relation to the leadership ballot," he said.
He also said the so-called gang of four senators responsible for a 10-point reformpackage presented to Senator Stott Despoja on the day she resigned were not consideringleaving the party.
But some people had fallen on their sword and he said he would not accept senatorscasting blame on other senators.
"It's an absolute nonsense and I will not accept it," he said, referring to talk ofthe plan causing Senator Stott Despoja's resignation.
Australians had had a gutful of the turbulence in the party, he said.
AAP lm/daw/cjh/de
KEYWORD: DEMOCRATS RIDGEWAY
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