Extended edited highlights of the media conference in which Mr Slipper announced he would again be standing as a candidate for the federal seat of Fisher at the September 7 Federal Election. Mr Slipper’s wife Inge also launched an impassioned defence of her husband and spoke out against the media’s intrusion into their personal life and questioning of their marriage.
Mr Slipper’s Official Media Release
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member for Fisher, Peter Slipper has announced that he will recontest his seat of Fisher at the September 7 Federal election.
“I have been considering my position for some time and following many approaches from local residents, I have decided to nominate to provide local people with a real choice” Mr Slipper said.
It is a great privilege to be chosen to represent the people of Fisher on eight occasions so far and I feel humbled by the support I am receiving. I am aware of the enormous challenge facing me as this is a “David and Goliath” battle against the major parties. This will be our most difficult campaign ever.
As an Independent Speaker in the Westminster tradition I introduced reforms to the operation of the House of Representatives as I wanted to make the Australian Parliament an institution of which the Australian people could be truly proud.
Unfortunately the Ashbygate affair in which the Liberal National Party candidate Mal Brough and other LNP and Liberal figures were deeply involved has prevented me to date from completing the reform process. This is despite the vindication I received when Justice Rares of the Federal Court threw out Ashby’s case as an abuse of process.
I note Mal Brough unlike some others adversely mentioned by the Judge did not seek leave to appeal the adverse findings against him by the Court.
I am proud of the many achievements I have secured for Fisher including recently the $46.8 million for the Sunshine Coast Health and Social Wellbeing Learning Precinct, one of the biggest projects to be announced on the Sunshine Coast, Bruce Highway upgrades as well as improvements to help develop the Sunshine Coast Regional Tennis Centre at Caloundra.
I want to make it clear that I am totally opposed to the plans by the LNP to sell off the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital to private interests.
There is much more to be done on the Sunshine Coast particularly in the area of infrastructure and I look forward to continuing to provide effective local representation.
Mal Brough was unavailable for immediate comment but he did prepare the following in advance of an announcement by Mr Slipper.
“The people of Fisher will have the opportunity to pass their judgement on the current member for Fisher, and all other candidates, on September 7. I will continue to campaign and promote my local plan as part of a positive and united coalition team led by Tony Abbott. Only a vote for the Coalition will rid Australia of a bad government and get the positive change the people of Fisher want.”