Qld: Flegg calls in extra help

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2006
Qld: Flegg calls in extra help

By Jessica Marszalek and Evan Schwarten

BRISBANE, Aug 28 AAP - A senior federal Liberal Party staffer from Canberra has joined
Queensland Liberal leader Bruce Flegg's troubled state election campaign team.

Special adviser Graeme Hallet said he has taken two weeks paid leave to volunteer as
part of the September 9 election.

But he denied he was acting as Dr Flegg's chief of staff.

Dr Flegg's chief of staff Cathy Uechtritz reportedly walked out of his office on Friday
after a confrontation with the state MP but was today back at work.

It's been alleged the blonde-haired Ms Uechtritz was furious at Dr Flegg after he explained
some of his campaign gaffes as "having a blonde moment".

Mr Hallet said he had volunteered because he "passionately" believed in Dr Flegg, who
replaced Bob Quinn as state leader shortly before the election was called.

"I didn't think it (the offer of help) was needed but I passionately believe in him," he said.

Dr Flegg, who had a poor start to his campaign, refused to comment on whether he believed
his popularity at the polls would increase with Mr Hallet's help.

Meanwhile, a key Queensland Liberal powerbroker has dodged questions on Dr Flegg's
future as leader.

Opposition frontbencher Michael Caltabiano avoided giving a definitive answer when
questioned about Dr Flegg, saying he was focusing on winning his own electorate of Chatsworth
in Brisbane's east.

"Between now and September 9, I am concentrating on winning the state seat of Chatsworth,"

he said.

The former state party president gave the same answer when asked about his own leadership
ambitions.

Mr Caltabiano, elected in a by-election 12 months ago following the resignation of
then deputy Labor premier Terry Mackenroth, faces a difficult battle to retain Chatsworth.

Labor has TV sports broadcaster Chris Bombolas as its candidate and a recent poll showed
he was a strong chance to regain the one-time ALP stronghold.

"Chatsworth had been held by the Labor Party for 28 years until August last year, it's
always going to be a tough ask but I'm putting my credentials forward and doing the best
I can," Mr Caltabiano said.

"I've been to every school, neighbourhood watch and community meeting there has been
for the past 12 months so they (constituents) have seen more of me than the former member
for the past 28 years."

The performance of the Liberals, particularly in Brisbane, is a key to the coalition's
chances of eating into Labor's 16-seat parliamentary majority.

The main political leaders campaigned in regional Queensland today with Premier Peter
Beattie in Townsville in the state's north and Yeppoon in central Queensland, while coalition
leader Lawrence Springborg visited Kingaroy, Bundaberg and Rockhampton.

AAP sc/grc/de

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