Nick Xenophon attacks Tony Abbotts narrow and partisan view of the national interest Date December 31, 2014 - 9:41AM A key Senate crossbencher has a New Years resolution for Prime Minister Tony Abbott - be less negative and confrontational. Mr Abbott has demanded the Senate act in the national interest and pass about $30 billion of outstanding budget measures in 2015, including controversial welfare changes, a GP co-payment and an overhaul of higher education funding. But he faces an uphill battle to convince Senate crossbenchers about the merits of his policies, which Labor and the Greens have rejected. Independent senator Nick Xenophon has urged Mr Abbott to engage in a bit of self-reflection as the year draws to a close. Advertisement He really is the author of his own misfortune, given that the budget contains so many broken promises, Senator Xenophon told ABC radio on Wednesday. Of course we need to act in the national interest, but I think the Prime Ministers interpretation of the national interest appears to be a very narrow and partisan one. It seems to me that this government in the last 16 months has done to its political capital what Nero did to ancient Rome. He also accused Mr Abbott of using the same negative and confrontational approach in government as he did as opposition leader. I just think its a bit curious that the Prime Ministers approach appears to be identical to his approach as opposition - thats one of confrontation, its one of being incredibly negative, Senator Xenophon said. theage.au/federal-politics/political-news/nick-xenophon-attacks-tony-abbotts-narrow-and-partisan-view-of-the-national-interest-20141230-12fvrl.html
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 23:00:00 +0000
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