TAS: Defeated Liberal leader calls election campaign a shambles

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TAS: Defeated Liberal leader calls election campaign a shambles

HOBART, Aug 13 AAP - The Tasmanian Liberals' organisation was a shambles during thestate election, defeated party leader Bob Cheek said tonight.

Mr Cheek, who lost his own seat in the Liberals' heavy defeat in the July 20 poll,also said his replacement, Rene Hidding, was to the "right of Attila the Hun".

Mr Cheek, who has been holidaying in Queensland, was making his first public commentssince the day after the election.

He told ABC Television that the party organisation was "an absolute shambles".

On the day the election was called it had not raised a cent for the campaign.

He said he was put in the ridiculous situation of having to spend the first week ofthe campaign trying to raise money.

Mr Cheek said he wished Mr Hidding well but felt he would take the Liberals too far to the right.

His attack came as Mr Hidding promised a quick response to a review of the state Liberals'performance.

AAP dw/jec/pw/sb

KEYWORD: LIBERALS TAS LEAD