Tania Murdock quits in disgust

Out of race: Tania Murdock.

TANIA MURDOCK yesterday announced she would not be standing as a National Party candidate for Richmond in the next Federal election, accusing some in her own party of ‘having their own agenda’.

The Pottsville businesswoman and mother of three said she was also fed up with the “fixation with my personal life” which was “very destructive to family life”.

Mrs Murdock said she was shocked on a number of occasions when she was abused in front of her children by people on the street.

“People have judged me without taking the time to know me,” she said. “Just because someone else has let them down in the past they think I will do the same.”

In a wide ranging interview with The Northern Star Mrs Murdock also said her personal reputation had been unjustifiably attacked by Liberal candidate Joan Van Lieshout, who she had earlier reached out to politically.

“She flatly refused (to work in together) which was a bit of a surprise seeing we are both on the same side of politics,” Mrs Murdock said.

“She then made inaccurate claims and deliberately created a negative impression about me personally.”

Ms Van Lieshout could not be contacted yesterday.

While conceding that she had made some novice mistakes since winning nomination in December, Mrs Murdock said many of these were blown out of proportion by her enemies within the party.

“Some internal people who have their own agendas politically have jumped on any little mistake they can,” she said.

“I really don’t want to be seen to be whingeing about anyone in particular. That is not my aim, but when you run and compete against other people, some people are more focused on me personally rather than them doing something positive. These people are working on behalf of themselves rather than as members of a team.”

Mrs Murdock stressed they were in a minority and that the party’s national director had as late as yesterday urged her to stay in the race.

Mrs Murdock won unanimous party endorsement to stand for the seat, once held by former deputy Prime Minister Doug Anthony, after a grilling about giving a Queensland address in an attempt to keep her driving licence.

She made headlines when it was revealed in court she had accumulated 26, mostly speeding-related traffic offences between 1988 and 2088.

Yesterday she admitted she had a problem with speeding but said there were other issues that needed to be considered but declined to discuss them on the record.

Mrs Murdock said while she joined the National Party because of its policies to support small businesses, she clashed with some members over its environmental policies.

“I believe we should protect our environment,” she said.

Mrs Murdock said she was saddened to withdraw her candidacy as she thought she had a lot to offer the electorate.

“It is such a shame because I was genuine and in this election for the right reasons,” she said earlier in a statement.

“But unfortunately a few people became fixated on my personal life rather than the issues.

“By standing down now I hope to give the Nationals enough time to find a suitable replacement for the election.

“I certainly would urge the Nationals to stand united behind their selected candidate to ensure the entire focus is maintained on the Rudd Government’s reckless incompetence.”

Mrs Murdock’s campaign manager Murray Lees said the party’s Richmond Electoral Council would meet today to discuss reopening pre-selection. “We would hope to have a replacement next month,” he said.

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