Senators seek changes to stimulus plan

Two senators whose votes are crucial to the passage of the federal government's $42
billion economic stimulus package want concessions before they give their support.
Treasurer Wayne Swan held talks with various senators on Tuesday, including the
Greens who reported some progress but want further talks.
Independent senator Nick Xenophon told AAP late on Tuesday he was unable to back the
package without major support for Murray-Darling Basin communities hurt by water
shortages.
Family First senator Steve Fielding also said he wanted further talks with the
government over his proposal for $4 billion of the package to be put into job
creation schemes in local communities.
A Senate inquiry report into the six bills enabling the stimulus package announced a
week ago will be tabled on Tuesday night and is expected to reflect the positions
already made public by the various parties.
The government has time for more negotiation before a final vote is required in the
Senate by midnight on Thursday.
Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull told a coalition joint-party meeting he would not
support the package's $12.7 billion in one-off payments to low and middle-income
earners.
But Mr Turnbull reiterated his offer to negotiate with the government on an
infrastructure package.
Greens leader, Senator Bob Brown, held talks with the government on Tuesday and his
office said some progress had been made there was still concern about access to the
dole and local government grants.
The Greens want a relaxation of a moratorium against people made redundant from
applying for unemployment benefits until they have run down their payouts to around
$2,500.
But Senator Xenophon, who had kept his position to himself until Tuesday, said he
wanted the package improved with a structural adjustment scheme for communities
along the Murray-Darling Basin similar to adjustment packages for the sugar and
dairy industries.
"I think if you're serious about a stimulus package you need to look at a nation
building approach that would have long-term benefits for Australia," Senator
Xenophon told AAP.
"I can't support the package in its current form."
Senator Xenophon said the $28.8 billion infrastructure element of the package should
include fast-tracked water buybacks, an acceleration of plans for a national
stormwater harvesting initiative and exit grants for those dependent on the basin
for their livelihoods.
"This is about improving the government's package," he said.
"If you fast-track water buybacks you will actually, even if the money's been
allocated, it will actually be an enormous stimulus for the 1.3 million people that
live in the basin.
"It will end up preventing massive job losses, ensure that you don't have a collapse
of those industries, the permanent plantings and other industries that are so
reliant on the efficient delivery of water."
A spokesman for Mr Swan has declined to comment on the negotiations with the
crossbench senators.