TAS: Latham's visit part of commitment to rural Aus: Sidebottom

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2003
TAS: Latham's visit part of commitment to rural Aus: Sidebottom

HOBART, Dec 8 AAP - New Labor Leader Mark Latham's visit to Tasmania was part of his
agenda to connect with all Australians, federal Opposition MP Sid Sidebottom said today.

Mr Latham is due to arrive in the state this afternoon, less than a week after securing
the ALP's top job in a tight leadership ballot.

Mr Sidebottom - one of four Tasmanian Labor MPs whose votes helped push Mr Latham over
the line - said Mr Latham was grateful for the state support but also had a broader agenda.

"He did make a commitment that he wanted to connect with rural and regional Australia,"

the MP for Braddon told ABC radio.

"And what better place to start than Tasmania and certainly to start in Braddon (in
the state's north-west).

"It is part of Mark's agenda to communicate and connect with all Australians."

He said Mr Latham was expected to comment on domestic security, health and education
while touring Burnie and Launceston tomorrow.

Mr Latham has also accepted an invitation from Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown
to visit the Styx Valley, north-west of Hobart, which has recently been the scene of several
anti-logging protests.

Mr Latham has said he may not have time to see the forest this week, but will make
arrangements to return in the near future.

Mr Sidebottom said Mr Latham showed a willingness to look at all industry sectors.

"Forestry is a very important industry in Tasmania. Mark's well aware of that and he
will no doubt look at all the issues affecting forestry in Tasmania," he said.

"We have policy on this and no doubt Mark will acquaint himself a little bit more more with that.

"It doesn't hurt to look.

"I think one of the great things about Mark Latham is that he's got an open mind on
things and is prepared to look at issues.

"The important thing is we've got to get Labor on the road again, and the election
of Mark Latham as our leader certainly is allowing us to do that."

AAP las/sco/br

KEYWORD: LATHAM TAS

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