Alexander Downer congratulated on election (A/Prem)

23/5/94

Acting Premier Colin Barnett has congratulated Alexander Downer on his election as Federal Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party, and Peter Costello as Deputy Leader.

Mr Barnett urged all Liberals to unite now behind the new leadership team.

He said that today's result would end the leadership uncertainty which had hampered the Federal Liberal Party during the past year and would set a new direction in the lead up to the next election. 

The Liberal Party in Western Australia would fully support Mr Downer and Mr Costello in the task ahead.

Mr Barnett paid credit to Dr Hewson for having placed on the national agenda the key economic problems facing Australia, such as the need to boost national savings and investment and the importance of genuine industrial relations reform.

He also believed it was significant for Western Australia that the new Federal Leader was from one of the smaller States.

"As a South Australian, Mr Downer will be very much aware of the special needs of the less populous States and hopefully his role might help moderate the dominance of such States as Victoria and New South Wales in Federal affairs," Mr Barnett said.

He said the WA Government looked forward to working with Mr Downer to promote the development of the Western Australian and Australian economies.