Australian Senator Paints 'Grim' Picture of Life Under Tony Abbott
The annual conference of New Zealand Green Party had taken a "grim" tone when Australian Greens senator Scott Ludlam gave an account of his life under the leadership of Australian Minister Tony Abbott.
According to Senator Ludlam, he didn't speak to ask for sympathy but he said "things are in a pretty bad way." He told the Greens party members that everything they heard and read about Australia in the media "is true."
The Western Australia Greens senator was introduced as a "hero" in the annual conference last May 31 where he was invited to be guest speaker. Ludlam told that the Australian government had cancelled the funds for public transport projects, reduced funding of services for Aboriginals and abandoned progress in renewable energy projects.
Ludlum said Australia's immigration policy is "toxic." He advised New Zealand counterparts to pick a coalition partner that is not "entirely dysfunctional" since the Australian Labour Party is for him a divided party.
Meanwhile, Mr Abbott insists the new budget will pass the Senate in a sales pitch in a prestigious heart research last May 31. The prime minister visited the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney and described the $20 billion research fund as a "significant part of the budget."
Mr Abbott expects the passing of co-payments will go through the Senate. He said "governments get their budgets through." In a report by the Sydney Morning Herald, Mr Abbott said the government budget will always gain passage despite the hostility of the Senate.
Labour has promised to oppose the $7 fee for visiting a doctor and said it only undermines the universal aspect of Medicare. Reports said that Treasurer Joe Hockey and the federal government is willing to talk with Labour and incoming senators about the budget but warned they will not be the only ones frustrated of everyone will immediately say "no" to everything.
Mr Abbott has said he will not give up his government's budget to the Senate. He alluded to a "double dissolution election" if negotiations in the Senate will fail.