Fed: Reith for the chop from WR ministry Labor

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2000
Fed: Reith for the chop from WR ministry Labor

Federal Labor is tipping that government frontbencher PETER REITH'S annus horribilis
is not over yet and that he will be axed from the Workplace Relations portfolio.

Mr REITH spent the latter part of 2000 fending off opposition attacks over his $50,000
telecard bill.

Opposition industrial relations spokesman ARCH BEVIS says Mr REITH is highly likely
to be part of a mooted government reshuffle before Christmas.

In a press release headed The Peter Reith Tipping Competition, Mr BEVIS says Mr REITH
had finished off the year as the country's most unpopular political figure.

He says having failed to get his second wave and other industrial relations laws through
parliament, the likelihood of a new job for Mr REITH in Santa's sack this year is big.

Mr BEVIS has rated current Finance Minister JOHN FAHEY as the hottest tip to replace
Mr REITH, rating him a 2-1 chance.





Widespread speculation in Canberra is that Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD will announce
a ministerial reshuffle in the wake of the expected retirement of Family Services Minister
Senator JOCELYN NEWMAN.

AAP RTV dep/daw/jx/jn

KEYWORD: REITH (CANBERRA)

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