The States have rebelled over Federal Government Budget cuts, claiming that the impact will be felt on July 1, and demanding Prime Minister Tony Abbott convene a COAG meeting before then.
The State Premiers and Territory Chief Ministers met in Sydney today at a meeting called by the Queensland LNP Premier, Campbell Newman. The Western Australian Premier, Colin Barnett, was the only leader not to attend. [Read more…]
Following Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s Budget Reply speech tonight, the ALP has announced that it will oppose a series of Budget measures in the Parliament.
Statements from shadow ministers Jenny Macklin, Catherine King, Brendan O’Connor and Julie Collins say that the ALP will oppose:
The ALP and the Greens have a blocking majority in the Senate until June 30. Neither party will oppose the Appropriation Bills, but where separate legislation is required they will have the ability to block measures.
After July 1, the ALP, Greens and the Palmer United Party group will have the numbers to block legislation in the Senate. Alternatively, either the ALP or the Greens will be able to guarantee passage of government bills. If the ALP and Greens are opposed to legislation, the government will need the support of 6 of the 8 crossbenchers.
Statement from Jenny Macklin, Shadow Minister for Families and Payments, and Disability Reform.
LABOR TO OPPOSE ABBOTT’S PENSION ATTACK
Labor will oppose Tony Abbott’s savage attack on Australia’s pension system and the millions of Australian pensioners who rely on it.
Labor will oppose Tony Abbott’s decision to increase the pension age to 70. [Read more…]
The Federal Budget was the dominant issue during Question Time in the House of Representatives today.
The government sought to portray the Budget as an economic repair job on the mess left by the previous Labor government, whilst the Opposition maintained it was a massive deceit of the electorate. [Read more…]
The Federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey, says his first Budget changes the country for the better.
Delivering the traditional post-Budget Address to the National Press Club, Hockey said: “We now have a fire in the kitchen – we have to put it out.”
Hockey claimed there is significant structural change in the Budget that “takes us back to surplus”. [Read more…]