NSW Libs pause after Brogden's suicide bid

[Violet_Crumble]

The NSW Liberal Party has put off today's leadership ballot following an apparent suicide attempt by former Opposition leader John Brogden.

However Opposition transport spokesman Peter Debnam looks set to take over as NSW Opposition leader, after his main rival - deputy Barry O'Farrell - pulled out of the race today.

Mr Brogden was found unconscious in a back room of his Sydney northern beaches electorate office about 10.30pm last night with what police said were self-inflicted wounds.

He was rushed by ambulance to Royal North Shore Hospital with what police said appeared to be fairly minor injuries.

His wife Lucy was today by his side in hospital.

The apparent suicide bid came less than 36 hours after Mr Brogden quit the Liberal leadership following admissions he made a racial slur against former premier Bob Carr's wife and acted inappropriately towards two female journalists.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/nsw-libs-pause-after-brogdens-suicide-bid/2005/08/31/1125302594749.html

[Matilda]

1. And the Murdoch press puts the boot in

The Daily toilet paper (the Telegraph), couldn't wait to get
stuck into Brogden yesterday:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/are-the-media-to-blame/2005/08/31/1125302603009.html

The guy resigned, clearly is unlikely to be re-elected, they could
have just let him go quietly. But no, these scum have to dredge
up every bit of dirt they could find.

Bob Carr also pushed it for all he was worth - his wife was saying
she preferred to overlook it, had no comment to make, but he's out
there doing his best to keep it stirred up, for purely political
purposes.

It looks as if Brogden really wasn't cut out to be the leader, but
the family has a dysfunctional history, and he's to be more pitied
than anything. His political career is certainly over now, and
he should give thanks.

[Esra Star]

2. It seems JH wanted him replaced with someone with more.....

ticker. Unfortunately Mr Brogden proved him right.....
about the ticker.
Fortunately his preferred choice didn't get up.
Now we have the compromise candidate. Funny that, that's
exactly what "Lazarus with the triple bypass" was.

[Matilda]

3. Actually, I think Howard's choice did get the nod..

Debnam's a creature of the "Christian" Right, a monarchist, and a
staunch Howard supporter.

Makes Iemma look like one of the good guys in comparison.

[anakie]

4. makes sense then

that his first proclaimation upon winning government will be to shut the needle exchange/injecting room in the Cross. Little johnnie was always virulently opposed to this.

[Matilda]

5. Exactly - will he announce his opposition to gay marriage next?

You'd never guess that we have real problems in this state, like
health, schools, and tranpsort, while we have two leaders who've
been put in place by their party machinery to carry out a pre-
determined agenda of their own.

Bugger the people.

[Saynt]

6. The Liberal moderates are starting to get wise...

they've noticed that the christian right have infiltrated the party, and they don't like it much.

[zum]

7. which issues are they liberal on anyway?