Debnam denies deal with Sheik al-Hilali

February 13, 2007 04:59pm

NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam has denied making any deals with Sheik Taj al-Din al-Hilali after the Liberal Party failed to preselect candidates in three Labor-held seats targeted by the mufti.

The sheik is considering backing Muslim candidates against NSW Premier Morris Iemma in his south-western Sydney seat of Lakemba and against the Labor MPs in Auburn and Bankstown.

Mr Iemma today said it seemed more than a coincidence that three of the 10 electorates without coalition candidates for the March 24 state election were Lakemba, Auburn and Bankstown.

"I find it an unhealthy coincidence that three of those seats are the same three seats that Sheik al-Hilali was talking about standing candidates (in),'' he told Network Ten.

"It's more than a coincidence.''

Mr Debnam dismissed Mr Iemma's suggestion and said the coalition had now selected candidates for all remaining seats.

"We've selected the candidates and they'll be announced in the next few days,'' he said.

Mr Debnam has previously ruled out doing preference deals with Sheik al-Hilali.