Julian McGauran defects from Australian National Party
{{date|January 24, 2006}}

[[w:Australian National Party|Australian National Party]] senator [[w:Julian McGauran|Julian McGauran]] left the party in order to join the [[w:Australian Liberal Party|Australian Liberal Party]]. McGauran has made comments to the effect of stating that the Liberals have the best chance of representing regional Australia.

The Prime Minister [[w:John Howard|John Howard]] has said that McGauran was not "poached", over suspicions in relation to an upcoming frontbench reshuffle, and the Federal Treasurer [[w:Peter Costello|Peter Costello]] welcomed McGauran's defection, with suspicion he may have orchestrated the move in order to bolster his leadership prospects. 

Many Nationals felt hurt; Victorian Nationals leader [[w:Peter Ryan|Peter Ryan]] called his move the "ultimate act of treachery".

His House of Representatives brother [[w:Peter McGauran|Peter McGauran]] remains in the National Party.

== Related news ==
* [[Julian McGauran makes rude gesture to Australian Senate]]

== Sources ==
* ABC Radio National ''Breakfast'', January 24, 2006
* ABC News, [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1554072.htm PM denies McGauran was poached from Nationals], January 24, 2006
* ABC ''AM'', [http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1553751.htm National defection set to strain Coalition relations]

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[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Peter Costello]]
[[category:John Howard]]
[[Category:Liberal Party (Australia)]]
Australian National Party senator Julian McGauran left the party in order to join the Australian Liberal Party. McGauran has made comments to the effect of stating that the Liberals have the best chance of representing regional Australia.

The Prime Minister John Howard has said that McGauran was not "poached", over suspicions in relation to an upcoming frontbench reshuffle, and the Federal Treasurer Peter Costello welcomed McGauran's defection, with suspicion he may have orchestrated the move in order to bolster his leadership prospects. 

Many Nationals felt hurt; Victorian Nationals leader Peter Ryan called his move the "ultimate act of treachery".

His House of Representatives brother Peter McGauran remains in the National Party.
Politics and conflicts Australia Peter Costello Liberal Party (Australia)