ID :
45074
Wed, 02/11/2009 - 15:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/45074
The shortlink copeid
Senators seek changes to stimulus plan
(AAP) - Key senators expect to have further talks with the federal government on Wednesday to hammer out an agreement on its $42 billion economic stimulus package.
The government needs the support of all seven crossbench senators to have
legislation implementing the package pass through parliament.
But all seven senators want the government to make changes.
Family First Senator Steve Fielding wants $4 billion spent on job creation in local
communities.
Independent senator Nick Xenophon wants cash bonuses slashed and that money pumped
into the ailing Murray-Darling Basin.
Thousands of jobs could be saved in the Murray-Darling Basin if the federal
government fast-tracked money for water reforms as part of an economic stimulus,
Senator Xenophon said.
The South Australian senator, while backing the need for a stimulus, has yet to
commit to the government's package.
He said hundreds of millions of dollars allocated for water buy-backs and irrigation
infrastructure needed to be brought forward as part of a stimulus.
Doing so would avoid a massive collapse in employment and economic activity in the
bush, Senator Xenophon said, adding that a number of "shovel-ready" water
infrastructure plans were ready to begin.
"If we get onto this straight away you'll actually save tens of thousands of jobs
throughout the basin and all the four basin states," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.
Senator Xenophon also backs his crossbench colleagues who are pressing the
government to relax the liquid assets test for the unemployed.
The $2,500 limit was "manifestly unfair", he said.
"I'm hoping in their discussions with the government we'll see a breakthrough."
The Australian Greens have concerns over access to the dole and the one-off cash
payments to millions of Australians, with Greens leader Bob Brown saying the money
could be better spent.
"We are not going to stand in the way of the nation getting an economic stimulus,
but it doesn't mean we have to accept everything that's in the package," he told ABC
Radio.
The one-off cash payments was the weakest part of the package, he said.
Senator Brown expects to meet officials from Treasurer Wayne Swan's office on
Wednesday.
"I'm hoping we get toward some sort of finality."
The government wants its legislation approved by the end of senate business on
Thursday.
The government needs the support of all seven crossbench senators to have
legislation implementing the package pass through parliament.
But all seven senators want the government to make changes.
Family First Senator Steve Fielding wants $4 billion spent on job creation in local
communities.
Independent senator Nick Xenophon wants cash bonuses slashed and that money pumped
into the ailing Murray-Darling Basin.
Thousands of jobs could be saved in the Murray-Darling Basin if the federal
government fast-tracked money for water reforms as part of an economic stimulus,
Senator Xenophon said.
The South Australian senator, while backing the need for a stimulus, has yet to
commit to the government's package.
He said hundreds of millions of dollars allocated for water buy-backs and irrigation
infrastructure needed to be brought forward as part of a stimulus.
Doing so would avoid a massive collapse in employment and economic activity in the
bush, Senator Xenophon said, adding that a number of "shovel-ready" water
infrastructure plans were ready to begin.
"If we get onto this straight away you'll actually save tens of thousands of jobs
throughout the basin and all the four basin states," he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.
Senator Xenophon also backs his crossbench colleagues who are pressing the
government to relax the liquid assets test for the unemployed.
The $2,500 limit was "manifestly unfair", he said.
"I'm hoping in their discussions with the government we'll see a breakthrough."
The Australian Greens have concerns over access to the dole and the one-off cash
payments to millions of Australians, with Greens leader Bob Brown saying the money
could be better spent.
"We are not going to stand in the way of the nation getting an economic stimulus,
but it doesn't mean we have to accept everything that's in the package," he told ABC
Radio.
The one-off cash payments was the weakest part of the package, he said.
Senator Brown expects to meet officials from Treasurer Wayne Swan's office on
Wednesday.
"I'm hoping we get toward some sort of finality."
The government wants its legislation approved by the end of senate business on
Thursday.
