Fed: Choose the safe hands of Howard, Doyle

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2004
Fed: Choose the safe hands of Howard, Doyle

MELBOURNE, Aug 30 AAP - The federal election was a choice between the safe hands of
Prime Minister John Howard or his unpredictable challenger, Victorian Opposition Leader
Robert Doyle said today.

"We have a clear choice: John Howard and safe hands or Mark Latham ...," Mr Doyle said.

" ... the unpredictable Mark Latham whose major praise seems to be that he's kept himself
in check, he hasn't blown up yet.

"So that's a good thing is it? That we just have to wait for him to blow up?

"I would say to the people of Victoria - don't take the risk."

Mr Doyle said Mr Howard could be trusted to stay the course if he was re-elected.

"He will remain in that job as long as he can serve the party and the party wants him," he said.

In Victoria, the Bracks government's decision to toll the proposed Mitcham-Frankston
freeway - also known as the Scoresby freeway - would be a major issue for voters, Mr Doyle
said.

Canberra has refused to pass on $445 million in federal funds for the road project
since the Bracks government reneged on its pledge to build it without tolls.

"There is a clear choice for the people of the eastern suburbs and I think they will
judge Labor accordingly," Mr Doyle said.

"They simply can't be trusted to stick to a deal because that's what we had and the
people of Melbourne will suffer because of Labor incompetence."

Last week, Mr Latham also criticised the Victorian government for breaking its election
promise on Scoresby.

Victoria's most marginal seat, Deakin, is also the region most affected by the proposed tollway.

The Liberals hold the seat by just 1.6 per cent.

AAP nl/gfr/sw/cjh/jlw

KEYWORD: POLL04 VIC

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