Qld: Doubt hangs over Ron Boswell's political future

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2005
Qld: Doubt hangs over Ron Boswell's political future

By Jade Bilowol

BRISBANE, Dec 14 AAP - Veteran Queensland Nationals senator Ron Boswell has refused
to say if he will contest the next federal election.

Senator Boswell would not be drawn on whether he would pursue his spot in the Nationals'
Senate team, as nominations opened today for the next election, due in 2007.

"He will not be making any comment at this stage," a spokeswoman for the senator said.

Queensland Nationals leader Lawrence Springborg said he was unsure if 65-year-old Senator
Boswell, who was elected to the senate in 1983, would run.

"I've got no doubt that if he does he'll be a part of the team ... it's up to the delegates
to decide where he goes (on the ticket)," he said.

Asked if he would encourage Senator Boswell to continue on after his current six year
term expires in June 2008, Mr Springborg said it was up to Senator Boswell.

"I mean, he's done a fairly good job for Queensland in the past.

"But can I just make the point that there's also a range of other very good people
who are interested in this," he said.

"And I think that we have got to treat people on how they perform on the day and how
they have performed in the past."

Animosity has recently marred the Queensland Nationals Senate team, with Senator Boswell
deriding newcomer Barnaby Joyce's tactics as "populist".

After Senator Joyce voted against the government's voluntary student unionism (VSU)
laws on Friday, Senator Boswell said crossing the floor threatened unity of the coalition
government.

Nationals Queensland Director Brad Henderson said nominations would close in February,
with Senate ticket selection to be held before the Nationals' annual conference in July.

AAP jvb/ch/cjh/br

KEYWORD: BOSWELL

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