NSW: Chikarovski blunders on governor s term

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-1998
NSW: Chikarovski blunders on governor s term

By Catharine Munro, State Political Correspondent

SYDNEY, Dec 8 AAP - Kerry Chikarovski made an embarrassing blunder just 24 hours after
being voted New South Wales opposition leader, revealing she did not know the terms of
Governor Gordon Samuels appointment.

Mrs Chikarovskis slick media skills abandoned her as she floundered on whether she had the
power to sack Governor Samuels.

She was defending her intention to demand that governors live in the traditional residence,
Government House, at a Sydney press conference.

The coalition has said it would ask the governor to move back to Government House if it
wins power in March.

The state Labor government demanded Governor Samuels live at his suburban home when he was
appointed in 1996.

A spokesman for the governor said he had no comment on where he wanted to live.

Mrs Chikarovski denied she would sack Governor Samuels if he refused to live in the
residence situated behind the Opera House which was opened to the public by the NSW government
in 1996 to an outcry from monarchists.

The governor is appointed for an informal term of four years, which finishes in February
2000, but is officially appointed at Her Majestys pleasure.

The new leader became increasingly flustered as it became apparent she did not know his
terms of employment and MP Michael Photios began to prompt her responses.

"Thats a matter of discussion between the governor and the government," she told
reporters three times when asked about Gordon Samuels employment terms.

"As you are aware that governor and government come to an arrangement," she added.

Clearly flustered, she then said she believed the term for the governor was fixed and
apologised to reporters for not being properly briefed.

"At this stage I dont know when his term is finished," she admitted.

"Let me say to you if you believe that thats a failing that I have made then I understand
that and I recognise it."

She went on to say: "I understand he had been appointed for a fixed time, if you are
telling me thats not the case then I have to go and check it."

As she struggled to explain coalition policy, she accidentally referred to Government House
as Parliament House.

The new leader was further embarrassed by a press release on a $65 million upgrade to Ryde
Hospital, in the marginal seat of Ryde, referred twice to a "Collins" government.

Mrs Chikarovski said the announcement was scheduled last week when Peter Collins was still
leader as she denied the hospital announcement was driven by polling.

AAP cm/sb/cfm/br

KEYWORD: GOVERNOR

1998 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.