Gazza
22-01-2006, 04:39 PM
http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17901225%255E1702,00.html
22jan06
Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation minister Ian Macdonald has been sacked from the Howard ministry.
A spokesman confirmed today that Mr Macdonald had been told by Prime Minister John Howard, he would not be included in the ministry after a reshuffle sparked by the resignation of Defence Minister Robert Hill last week.
Senator Macdonald said today in a statement that last Thursday Mr Howard told him he would not be reappointed to the ministry.
But Senator Macdonald will contest the next election for which he leads the Liberal Party ticket for Queensland.
"It has been an honour and a privilege to have served Australia for seven years as a minister, three years as a parliamentary secretary and about four years as an opposition shadow minister," he said. Senator Macdonald, 60, thanked the three Liberal Party leaders who had given him frontbench positions, John Howard, Alexander Downer and John Hewson.
He said Mr Howard had his respect and admiration and was an "exceptional" prime minister.
"My loyalty to the Liberal Party, particularly in North Queensland, my staff, my many friends who have supported me over the years, has meant that I have no interest in serving Australia in another non-parliamentary capacity," he said.
"In September last year, I was endorsed by a vote of 245 to 25 to represent Queensland as a Liberal senator for a further six years and at the time of my preselection, I indicated I would serve out my next term."
Senator Macdonald committed himself to the return of a coalition government in Queensland.
Among his achievements, he counted his part in saving the Tasmanian forestry industry and its consequent impact on the last federal election in which Labor lost two seats.
Also, Senator Macdonald said work done against illegal fishing in Australia's southern and northern waters would pay dividends in the near future.
22jan06
Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation minister Ian Macdonald has been sacked from the Howard ministry.
A spokesman confirmed today that Mr Macdonald had been told by Prime Minister John Howard, he would not be included in the ministry after a reshuffle sparked by the resignation of Defence Minister Robert Hill last week.
Senator Macdonald said today in a statement that last Thursday Mr Howard told him he would not be reappointed to the ministry.
But Senator Macdonald will contest the next election for which he leads the Liberal Party ticket for Queensland.
"It has been an honour and a privilege to have served Australia for seven years as a minister, three years as a parliamentary secretary and about four years as an opposition shadow minister," he said. Senator Macdonald, 60, thanked the three Liberal Party leaders who had given him frontbench positions, John Howard, Alexander Downer and John Hewson.
He said Mr Howard had his respect and admiration and was an "exceptional" prime minister.
"My loyalty to the Liberal Party, particularly in North Queensland, my staff, my many friends who have supported me over the years, has meant that I have no interest in serving Australia in another non-parliamentary capacity," he said.
"In September last year, I was endorsed by a vote of 245 to 25 to represent Queensland as a Liberal senator for a further six years and at the time of my preselection, I indicated I would serve out my next term."
Senator Macdonald committed himself to the return of a coalition government in Queensland.
Among his achievements, he counted his part in saving the Tasmanian forestry industry and its consequent impact on the last federal election in which Labor lost two seats.
Also, Senator Macdonald said work done against illegal fishing in Australia's southern and northern waters would pay dividends in the near future.