QLD: Labor celebrates Big Brother coup

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QLD: Labor celebrates Big Brother coup

By Dale Paget

GOLD COAST, April 29 AAP - Young Labor is celebrating a political coup in the Big Brotherhouse after claiming responsibility today for the eviction of Victorian Young LiberalKatrina Miani from the hit TV show.

The 22-year-old Melbourne legal secretary became the focus of an election style phone-incampaign from both sides of politics when she revealed her party colours to Big Brotherflat mates.

In a landslide defeat, Miani attracted 57 per cent of the eviction vote last nightto social worker Turkan's 23 per cent and promo producer Alex's 20 per cent.

NSW Young Labor president Chris Minns, who orchestrated a "Kick the Young Lib off BigBrother" crusade, today thanked his members.

"It was a grassroots movement. It's the work of the young men and women of the YoungLabor organisation," he said.

"I think we can take credit for bringing to people's attention that it was a biggerissue than just voting off someone with an objectionable personality: It was voting offsomeone who is a member of the Young Liberals with an objectionable personality."

The Victorian Young Liberals declined to comment on Miani's eviction.

Cameras follow the residents of the Big Brother house 24 hours a day.

Each week residents nominate three as candidates for eviction. The public then voteson which of the house mates will be removed. The last one remaining wins $250,000.

As the second evictee, Miani faced a media scrum today where she fielded questionsabout her emotional breakdowns in the house, the nude photo spread in a men's magazineand her unexpected role as a Young Liberal poster child.

"I am so not like anyone else in the Young Liberals," she laughed, adding that shewas now contemplating cancelling her membership.

"I did have political aspirations but to make it in politics you have to be a particulartype of person and I don't think I have the nastiness in me," Miani said.

In the meantime Labor is making as much political mileage as possible out of her overthrow.

"Young Labor is hopeful this will encourage young people who are thinking of a lifein politics that joining the Young Libs means joining an organisation full of Katrinas,"

said Mr Minns.

Politics is likely to continue to play a role in Big Brother.

Labor has found one of its own in the house and is now urging fans to get behind Shannon,the daughter of former NSW Labor minister Michael Cleary.

Ironically, Young Lib Miani also wants her friend Shannon to win the big prize.

"You can't judge people on their political persuasion," she said.

AAP dp/jnb/sb

KEYWORD: BIG BROTHER