Generational renewal can have unintended consequences.
Newman and Herron elected to go to the back bench. For Moore, on the other hand, it was a case of a cabinet seat or retirement. Hence the byelection for the former defence minister's Brisbane seat of Ryan to be held on March17. There is something to be said for the Prime Minister's claim that the Western Australian and Queensland elections were determined essentially on state issues. However, there is no doubt the Ryan byelection will be fought on federal issues.