ID :
150727
Mon, 11/22/2010 - 18:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/150727
The shortlink copeid
Labor letting Greens run government: oppn
The opposition has accused Labor of allowing the Australian Greens to run the
government, as an ALP MP broke ranks to attack the minor party over its tax policy.
The Greens - who have an agreement with Labor to deliver minority government - have
witnessed a surge of support, with the latest Nielsen poll putting their stocks at
13 per cent, up slightly on the August 21 election result.
Nationals leader Warren Truss attacked the Greens during question time in parliament
on Monday, and he also criticised Prime Minister Julia Gillard for reneging on an
election promise not to introduce a carbon tax.
"Isn't the government's deception on this issue during the election proof that while
the government has lost its way, the Greens have found theirs inside the Gillard
government?" Mr Truss said.
But Greens leader Bob Brown wore the attack as a badge of honour.
"We're always very pleased to have people indicating that the Greens are innovative
and are making their mark in politics," Senator Brown told reporters in Canberra.
Labor's left wing has been agitating for the party to win back voters who are
drifting across to the Greens by introducing progressive policies such as gay
marriage and taking immediate action on climate change.
But others in the party argue the government should be challenging the Greens and
pointing out flaws in their policies.
One Labor backbencher taking up the challenge on Monday was Michael Danby, the ALP's
member for Melbourne Ports, who told parliament the Greens supported a 30 per cent
death tax.
"For those who are considering voting for the Greens political party, and are
unfamiliar with the death tax, it is a tax on the remaining assets of those who die
hoping to leave something to their families," Mr Danby said.
He said a Greens candidate for the Victorian state election had confirmed recently
the death tax rate would be around the same level of the party's corporate tax
policy - 30 per cent.
But a spokeswoman for Senator Brown said the tax change was not a parliamentary
priority, despite it being party policy.
government, as an ALP MP broke ranks to attack the minor party over its tax policy.
The Greens - who have an agreement with Labor to deliver minority government - have
witnessed a surge of support, with the latest Nielsen poll putting their stocks at
13 per cent, up slightly on the August 21 election result.
Nationals leader Warren Truss attacked the Greens during question time in parliament
on Monday, and he also criticised Prime Minister Julia Gillard for reneging on an
election promise not to introduce a carbon tax.
"Isn't the government's deception on this issue during the election proof that while
the government has lost its way, the Greens have found theirs inside the Gillard
government?" Mr Truss said.
But Greens leader Bob Brown wore the attack as a badge of honour.
"We're always very pleased to have people indicating that the Greens are innovative
and are making their mark in politics," Senator Brown told reporters in Canberra.
Labor's left wing has been agitating for the party to win back voters who are
drifting across to the Greens by introducing progressive policies such as gay
marriage and taking immediate action on climate change.
But others in the party argue the government should be challenging the Greens and
pointing out flaws in their policies.
One Labor backbencher taking up the challenge on Monday was Michael Danby, the ALP's
member for Melbourne Ports, who told parliament the Greens supported a 30 per cent
death tax.
"For those who are considering voting for the Greens political party, and are
unfamiliar with the death tax, it is a tax on the remaining assets of those who die
hoping to leave something to their families," Mr Danby said.
He said a Greens candidate for the Victorian state election had confirmed recently
the death tax rate would be around the same level of the party's corporate tax
policy - 30 per cent.
But a spokeswoman for Senator Brown said the tax change was not a parliamentary
priority, despite it being party policy.
