ABC News Online
Sun, Oct 20 2002 8:29 AM AEST
Crean's future in doubt with ALP on verge of Cunningham loss
Federal Opposition leader Simon Crean's future is on the line after almost certain defeat for his party in the Cunningham by-election in southern New South Wales.
The ALP has held the seat since 1949.
The Greens have all but claimed victory in the electorate, giving them their first Lower House seat in Federal Parliament.
With 85 per cent, the Greens believe they have won the seat on a two-party preferred basis.
The ALP gained 38 per cent of the primary vote while the Greens received 24 per cent.
However, the Labor Party faced an uphill battle after every other of the 12 candidates contesting the seat gave their preferences to each other instead of the ALP.
This included independent union candidate Peter Wilson, who stood in support of unions disenchanted with the Labor Party.
The Liberal Party decided not to contest the by-election.
The by-election was called after the sudden resignation of Labor frontbencher Dr Stephen Martin.
The ALP endorsed Sharon Bird as its candidate, as part of a move to have more women represented in Parliament.
But discontent among unions over the ALP led to Mr Wilson, contesting along with 11 others.
All candidates except the ALP decided to give their preferences to each other, leaving the Labor Party with an uphill battle to win the seat.
There are 9,000 postal and pre-poll votes to be counted.
The Australian Democrats only managed 2 per cent of the vote.
Ms Bird last night refused to comment on the by-election result.
Environment concerns
The Greens believe concerns over the environment, sustainable development and no Australian involvement in a war with Iraq, helped them gain what they believe is a seat in Federal Parliament.
Greens Senator Bob Brown says the outcome sends a message to the Federal Government.
"I think there's a fairly strong message whatever the result to our Government and that is that the Australian Government don't want to see Australia being sent to a war in Iraq," he said.