Fed: PM says age has no impact on voters

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2003
Fed: PM says age has no impact on voters

CANBERRA, Dec 4 AAP - The age of Australia's political leaders did not influence their
electoral appeal, Prime Minister John Howard said today.

Mr Howard said Australians would instead vote for whoever offered them the most hope.

"If the younger person offers the best hope, then the public will vote for them," Mr
Howard told ABC radio.

"If the older person offers the best hope they'll vote for him or her as well, it's
just an irrelevant factor."

Mr Howard turned 64 this year while at 42, Labor Leader Mark Latham would become the
third-youngest Australian prime minister if successful at next year's federal election.

The prime minister said his unwillingness to declare he would lead the Liberal Party
through an entire term after next year's poll would not turn voters against him.

"I don't think that is the issue that's going to concern them," he said.

"I think they respect the fact that I'm being candid and not finding some clever form of words."

AAP sm/was/jlw

KEYWORD: HOWARD AGE

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