Deputy Australia PM Anderson to resign - media

[MaineDem]

SYDNEY, June 22 — Australia's Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson will resign for health reasons on Thursday, forcing a reshuffle of the conservative government, Australian media said.

A spokesman for Anderson's office would not comment on the report but said Anderson would make "a major statement" later on Thursday.

Anderson has been leader of the National Party, the junior partner in the coalition government under Prime Minister John Howard, for the past six years.

Australian Broadcasting Corp radio said: "The Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister John Anderson will announce his resignation."

http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusintl/reuters06-22-143427.asp?reg=pacrim&vts=62220051523