ID :
171312
Mon, 03/28/2011 - 13:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/171312
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Independents defend support for Gillard
(AAP) - Federal independent MPs have launched a passionate defence of their support for the Labor government, as they came under fire from the Nationals in the wake of the NSW state election.
Three rural NSW independents lost their seats to the Nationals in Barry O'Farrell's coalition victory over Labor on Saturday night.
Federal Nationals MPs said the wins - which occurred in regional areas covered by federal independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott - proved voters were angry that the two had supported the federal Labor government and they would be next to go.
Nationals deputy leader Luke Hartsuyker described the independents as "lap dogs", and fellow Nationals MP Mark Coulton labelled them "carbon dioxide suicide bombers" in reference to their support for a carbon price.
Mr Hartsuyker told parliament Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott had a record of "rolling over to the government" on issues of importance to rural areas, such as expanding the youth allowance and the coalition's policy on paid parental leave.
But Mr Windsor told parliament support for non-party candidates remained strong, with 53 per cent of the primary vote in two state seats covered by his electorate going to independents.
He said he was proud to support policies such as the national broadband network which he ran on in the 2010 election and was one of the key factors in his support for Julia Gillard.
"This is the one piece of infrastructure that actually negates distances being a disadvantage ... it creates enormous opportunities for regional Australians," Mr Windsor said.
"I cannot believe that any member who purports to represent the country areas of this nation would actually find arguments to vote against it."
Mr Windsor said he was also proud to support action to save the Murray-Darling river and address climate change.
"I am proud this parliament will in fact have a constructive look at climate change and how it impacts on Australia - not this nonsense debate we are having about a tax and a lie, a couple of words," he said.
"This is a serious debate for serious people and there again the member for Wentworth (Malcolm Turnbull) shines out like a beacon in the coalition benches."
Mr Oakeshott, whose state counterpart Peter Besseling lost his seat of Port Macquarie to the Nationals, said coalition MPs were putting "personal political interest" ahead of the national interest on many issues.
North Queensland independent MP Bob Katter said the Nationals had "gone missing" when it came to opposing the privatisation of Telstra, and they were failing to represent rural areas.
Three rural NSW independents lost their seats to the Nationals in Barry O'Farrell's coalition victory over Labor on Saturday night.
Federal Nationals MPs said the wins - which occurred in regional areas covered by federal independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott - proved voters were angry that the two had supported the federal Labor government and they would be next to go.
Nationals deputy leader Luke Hartsuyker described the independents as "lap dogs", and fellow Nationals MP Mark Coulton labelled them "carbon dioxide suicide bombers" in reference to their support for a carbon price.
Mr Hartsuyker told parliament Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott had a record of "rolling over to the government" on issues of importance to rural areas, such as expanding the youth allowance and the coalition's policy on paid parental leave.
But Mr Windsor told parliament support for non-party candidates remained strong, with 53 per cent of the primary vote in two state seats covered by his electorate going to independents.
He said he was proud to support policies such as the national broadband network which he ran on in the 2010 election and was one of the key factors in his support for Julia Gillard.
"This is the one piece of infrastructure that actually negates distances being a disadvantage ... it creates enormous opportunities for regional Australians," Mr Windsor said.
"I cannot believe that any member who purports to represent the country areas of this nation would actually find arguments to vote against it."
Mr Windsor said he was also proud to support action to save the Murray-Darling river and address climate change.
"I am proud this parliament will in fact have a constructive look at climate change and how it impacts on Australia - not this nonsense debate we are having about a tax and a lie, a couple of words," he said.
"This is a serious debate for serious people and there again the member for Wentworth (Malcolm Turnbull) shines out like a beacon in the coalition benches."
Mr Oakeshott, whose state counterpart Peter Besseling lost his seat of Port Macquarie to the Nationals, said coalition MPs were putting "personal political interest" ahead of the national interest on many issues.
North Queensland independent MP Bob Katter said the Nationals had "gone missing" when it came to opposing the privatisation of Telstra, and they were failing to represent rural areas.
