Source: The Australian

FEDERAL Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson yesterday declared he was ``very proud'' of the Liberal Party brand but a merg Nationals should still be considered.

As Queensland Liberal senators and officials began to rally against moves to create one party out of the Coalition, Dr Nelson a matter for the organisational leadership of the Liberal and National parties.

``However, I believe that whilst there may be an argument for the merger of the two parties, it is something that needs to be c nationally and our party in Queensland will be actively considering it on the 3rd of February.''

Queensland Liberal leader Mark McArdle this week agreed with recently returned Nationals leader Lawrence Springborg tha state council meeting on February 3 should appoint an eminent persons group to examine all one-party options as a matter o But Queensland Liberal senators George Brandis and Russell Trood yesterday rejected the concept, while former Liberal P president Bob Carroll said the state branch needed to reconnect with its core constituency and take on Labor -- even if it mea Coalition agreement to do so.

Dr Nelson's comments came as his Nationals counterpart, Warren Truss, threw his weight behind a national merger between Liberals, arguing the parties should not be stuck in tradition and the past.

Mr Truss told The Australian yesterday amalgamation was an option that would be examined by the post-election review of t former leader John Anderson and former federal director Michael Priebe.

``I've made it quite clear that I want all the options to be on the table during that review and that ranges from business as usu mergers with other like-minded political organisations,'' Mr Truss said.

Mr Truss's openness to a merger could be crucial to the success of the idea, given previous attempts for amalgamation prom Queensland have failed because of opposition at the federal level.

Mr Truss said a merger between the two parties could proceed in Queensland independently of a nationwide review of the pa ``In Queensland there is a feeling of more urgency over the issue,'' Mr Truss said.