NSW: Liberals claim victory in Bradfield and Higgins

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2009
NSW: Liberals claim victory in Bradfield and Higgins

TONY ABBOTT has taken a first hurdle as new opposition leader .. with his Liberal Party
surviving two by-elections today largely undamaged.

Liberal Party candidate PAUL FLETCHER has romped home in the blue-ribbon Sydney seat
of Bradfield .. saying the contest was about more than the ETS and climate change.

And in Melbourne .. Liberal candidate KELLY O'DWYER declared a comfortable victory
in her seat at about 8.45pm.

In BRENDAN NELSON'S former seat of Bradfield .. the swing against the Liberals was
about three-and-a-half per cent .. in Higgins .. once the seat of former Treasurer PETER
COSTELLO .. the swing was under two per cent.

Media commentators have greeted the results as a sign that the Liberals have not suffered
major damage after they dumped MALCOLM TURNBULL and the ETS deal with the government.

AAP RTV wz

KEYWORD: BRADFIELD HIGGINS SYDNEY

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.