VIC: Bright newcomers the key to ALP s campaign

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-1999
VIC: Bright newcomers the key to ALP s campaign

Labor will be talking up its team of fresh newcomers during the upcoming Victorian election
campaign, as it languishes in the opinion polls following a tumultuous start to the year.

Most recent polls show new leader STEVE BRACKS has lifted the Opposition's support only
marginally since replacing JOHN BRUMBY on March 22, following months of internal rumblings.

Mr BRACKS has struggled to attract media attention with his decision to by playing the
ball, not the man by engaging Premier JEFF KENNETT on policy issues rather than personality.

Half a dozen of Labor's target seats are in rural areas, and it is fielding candidates with
high local profiles such as former Ballarat mayor GEOFF HOWARD in Ballarat East.

Bendigo East is being contested by ALP staffer JACINTA ALLAN, who turns 26 on election day
and Geelong by IAN TRESIZE, son of former Labor minister and footballer NEIL "NIPPER" TRESIZE.

Labor has also started to make ground in the policy stakes by supporting a partial
decriminalisation of marijuana and the establishment of five safe injecting rooms.

AAP kmh/er/jlw/pjg/jn

KEYWORD: POLLVIC ALP (MELBOURNE)

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