SA: Legal challenge in Hammond a matter of principle, say Libs
ADELAIDE, April 5 AAP - The Liberal Party would challenge the election victory of keySouth Australian independent Peter Lewis as a matter of principle, the party's state directorsaid today.
The party's executive voted last night to challenge Mr Lewis' victory in the regionalseat of Hammond in the Court of Disputed Returns.
SA Liberal Party director Graham Jaeschke said today the executive believed Mr Lewismisled voters by declaring before the poll he would not support a Labor government.
After the February 9 poll, Mr Lewis backed Labor to give it a majority on the floorof parliament and allow it to form government.
Mr Jaeschke said a petition for the Court of Disputed Return would be lodged today.
He expected the matter to be brought before the court quickly but did not know howlong it would take to be resolved.
"We've got a strong case, we've been buoyed by our supporters and we are doing thisas a matter of principle," Mr Jaeschke told AAP.
"We're the only people that are standing up for the people of Hammond. We believe weare doing the right thing by the people of Hammond.
"There's a real sense of betrayal and outrage and we are picking that up for them (Hammondvoters)."
Mr Lewis won his seat of Hammond by 882 votes.
Should the Liberal challenge succeed and a by-election be called, the Liberals couldretake government by unseating Mr Lewis.
AAP la/sl/dl/de
KEYWORD: POLLSA HAMMOND LEAD
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