Fraser deputy steps down

Press, 7 April 1982, Page 9

Fraser deputy steps down

INZ-rrt nuudri The Australian Industry and Commerce Minister (Sir Phillip Lynch) announced yesterday that he was standing down as deputy leader of the Federal parliamentary Liberal Party. Sir Phillip told journalists after a Cabinet meeting that it was time for a younger man to take over the job. He declined to nominate his successor but said that the Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser) would have his full support at a special party meeting tomorrow to determine the leadership, issue. Mr Fraser called the special meeting of Liberal Party members of Parliament to resolve the challenge to his leadership from. Andrew Peacock. The Federal Treasurer (Mr John Howard) is the candidate favoured to win the deputy leadership at tomorrow's meeting. However, his New South Wales ministerial colleague, the Health Minister (Mr Michael MacKellar) is also likely to run. Mr MacKellar said as he left the Cabinet meeting that he was ready to serve the party in whatever capacity he was wanted. Sir Phillip said he had been considering standing down for some time but

essentially the decision had been reached in discussions with his family last weekend. He denied that any pressure had been placed on him by Mr Fraser or any of his parliamentary colleagues to step down. “This was at my initiative," he said. . Sir Phillip also indicated that he- may bow out of politics completely later this year. He said he would be taking a break over Easter “to consider just where I ought to be placing what talent I have.” Sir Phillip’s decision to step down throws the outcome of tomorrow’s meeting into even greater confusion. He said yesterday he believed that Mr Peacock should give up his attempt to topple Mr Fraser from the leadership. 4 “The deputy’s job provides ample training for any man who seeks the top post,” he said. But he added that he had had no talks with Mr Peacock on the subject. Clearly Mr Peacock would be opposed if he stood for the deputy leadership. A few minutes later as he was being interviewed before television cameras Sir Phillip said he thought Mr Fraser would find it impossible to work with Mr Peacock as his deputy.