FED: There's no instability in Liberal Party: Hockey
19 Feb 2009 9:42 PM
Subject: FED: There's no instability in Liberal Party: Hockey FED: There's no instability in Liberal Party: Hockey
CANBERRA, Feb 19 AAP - There is no instability in the federal Liberal Party, opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey says.
His comment came towards the end of a torrid week for the opposition in which deputy leader Julie Bishop stood down from her portfolio, a frontbencher was sacked and another suggested a change in policy only to be publicly corrected.
"It's not relevant," Mr Hockey said of speculation about instability in coalition ranks.
"There is no instability as far as I am concerned," he told ABC TV on Thursday night.
Treasurer Wayne Swan refused to buy in.
"That's entirely a matter for the Liberal Party.
"I'm frankly not all that concerned with what's going on in the Liberal Party."
Mr Swan said he was more concerned with the economic crisis.
Former ACT Liberal chief minister Kate Carnell said she understood why the man some say is responsible for much of the instability, former treasurer Peter Costello, had decided to remain on the backbench.
AAP pv/apm =0A
FED: There's no instability in Liberal Party: Hockey