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Post by masterplan200 on Aug 31, 2005 1:20:37 GMT -5
NSW Liberal Party MPs and staffers have wept openly as they gathered to comfort each other after the apparent attempted suicide of former leader John Brogden.
Mr Brogden was taken to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital on Tuesday night after he was found unconscious and with what police said were self-inflicted injuries in his electorate office.
He is expected to make a full recovery.
Opposition transport spokesman Peter Debnam, who will be elected unopposed as the party's next leader, said a formal ballot would be put off until Friday.
But there was speculation the vote could still be held earlier.
Deputy Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell, who has pulled out of the leadership race, said MPs and staff were providing emotional support to each other.
"We're having a morning tea so that we can offer each other comfort," Mr O'Farrell told reporters.
"We're offering comfort and support to Lucy (Brogden), to John (and) to their families, at this difficult time."
Mr O'Farrell urged the media to respect the Brogdens' privacy.
Mr O'Farrell said he decided to pull out of the leadership race on Tuesday night, when he went to the hospital to visit Mr Brogden.
"The events of last night have put all of this into perspective for me," Mr O'Farrell said.
"I made the decision last night.
"I told one of my colleagues at the hospital I think it's the right decision for the party, I think it's the right decision for me and, ultimately, I think it's the right decision for NSW."
Mr O'Farrell said he believed he had the numbers to win the leadership.
But he felt he would not have enough support from his fellow MPs to lead a united opposition.
"I think we do that best behind Peter Debnam," he said.
"My assessment of the way the numbers fall is that if I was chosen leader, I could not provide the unity that I think Peter can.
"It's my assessment that Peter will provide greater unity to this party than I would as leader, and it is on that basis that I've made my decision."
Meantime, Premier Morris Iemma said Mr Brogden's apparent attempted suicide was "a very sad event."
Mr Iemma said the thoughts of the Labor Party were with Mr Brogden, despite obvious political differences.
"I was shocked and in disbelief (after hearing about the attempt)," Mr Iemma told reporters.
"Our thoughts are with him regardless of what side of politics you are on.
"The thoughts of all government MPs are with John Brogden and his family and we wish (him) ... a speedy and full recovery."
Mr Iemma said that the public life of a politician was often very stressful.
"The job is a high pressure job and sometimes the pressure becomes unbearable," he said.
Mr Brogden still had "many other avenues open to him", the premier said.
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Post by giggergrl on Aug 31, 2005 8:24:09 GMT -5
no signs of this coming prior ? a cry for help under pressure perhaps ? ah i know 2 ppl tried to kill themselves.. had a student that was successful at it too. no major signs prior.. awful...
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Post by masterplan200 on Sept 1, 2005 0:02:43 GMT -5
Apparently the media (hello Kerry O'Brien) was going anti-Brodgen BEFORE JB retired, saying he was a "racist SOB", though not in that sense
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