Fed: Costello says staff can sleep with anyone

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2001
Fed: Costello says staff can sleep with anyone

Treasurer PETER COSTELLO says he had no interest in who his staff are sleeping with.

His comments followed revelations that two ministerial staffers had left their jobs
because of their relationships with Labor Party members.

CLARE DONNELLY, a liaison officer working for federal Sports Minister JACKIE KELLY,
returned to a departmental job last week, after the minister's office discovered her husband
was vying for a spot in the ACT lower house.

And ZOE McKENZIE, an adviser to Attorney-General DARYL WILLIAMS, is in a relationship
with the press secretary of his Labor counterpart.

Ms McKENZIE left Mr WILLIAMS' office on Friday after being spoken to in relation to
her relationship.

Mr COSTELLO says he had no knowledge of the people involved, but would not stop any
of his staff from having relationships with Labor members.

He told radio 2GB he had no interest in knowing who his staff were sleeping with and
he'd never dare to ask them.

Mr COSTELLO says it's unlikely any staff member would be sacked because of their personal
relationships.

AAP RTV sal/jjs/jn

KEYWORD: STAFFERS COSTELLO (SYDNEY)

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