Liberal Party Must Reconsider Budget Bills Next Week

Liberal Party must reconsider Budget Bills next week

The Liberal Party must reconsider its position and allow the Government to pass its Budget Bills through the Senate next week or lop nearly $300 million off the Government's inflation- fighting surplus.

The Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the tally of Bills referred to a Senate committee or disallowed by the Liberal Party this week now stood at 13.

"The Liberal Party's wanton display of economic vandalism is a recipe for higher inflation and higher interest rates," Senator Evans said.

"Despite having nearly six weeks to make a decision on the Budget measures, the Liberals can only defer and delay because they cannot make a decision on the merits of these Bills.

"All they are doing is frustrating the passage of the Budget, delaying the implementation of our election commitments and hurting taxpayers to the tune of nearly $300 million.

"The Liberal Party has rejected responsible economic management because it is too internally divided to make a policy decision."

On Monday, Brendan Nelson said the Liberal Party would oppose three Budget measures, namely the alcopops tax measure, the changes to the Medicare surcharge levy thresholds and the seniors' health card measure.

By Wednesday the Liberal's had delayed the passage of 11 Bills and disallowed another two. Today, the Shadow Treasurer added changes to withholding tax to the Liberal Party's list of indecision.

"It is part of the normal budget process to pass the Budget measures by July 1st," Senator Evans said.

"The Government's Budget delivers a $22 billion surplus to fight inflation and put downward pressure on interest rates. If it is not passed in full by then, the size of the surplus will begin to fall and that will place greater pressure on interest rates.

"The Coalition is embarking on a final act of political obstruction and economic vandalism on the eve of losing control of the upper house.

"They must take responsibility and pass the Budget next week."

Media Contact: Simon Dowding (02) 6277 7860 or 0411 138 541

SOURCE: Senator Chris Evans - Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship