Tony Abbott opens books to independents bloc
* Matthew Schulz and AAP
* August 27, 2010
* 64 comments
UPDATE 2.35pm: TONY Abbott has backed down on key independents demands for costings on its election promises, Julia Gillard says.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said a short time ago, that Mr Abbott had agreed to give briefings on costings of policies and promises to three crossbench MPs, after agreeing to make crucial changes to caretaker conditions.
Three country MPs Bob Katter, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott will have the final say on who will form government and demanded to be briefed on how those election promises would affect the bottom line, among seven demands.
Ms Gillard said the "total range" of costings of Labor and Coalition policies would be provided.
"I am pleased to report that Mr Abbott has generally agree that the independents should be able to get the material they seek.," Ms Gillard said in the lunchtime announcement.
She said her office and Mr Abbott had exchanged a number of letters since mid-week about the issue, before they struck the agreement.
Read the blow-by-blow negotiations between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, and the internal briefing to Ms Gillard from Prime Minister and Cabinet below.
PM&C briefing to the PM on the independents' request for information http://mp3.news.com.au/hwt/PMC%20Brief.pdf
PM's letter to Tony Abbott 25 August 2010 http://mp3.news.com.au/hwt/PM%20to%20Leader%20of%20the%20Opposition%2025%20Aug.p...
PM's letter to Tony Abbott 26 August 2010 http://mp3.news.com.au/hwt/PM%20to%20Leader%20of%20the%20Opposition%2026%20Aug.p...
PM's letter to Tony Abbott 27 August 2010 http://mp3.news.com.au/hwt/PM%20to%20Leader%20of%20the%20Opposition%2027%20Augus...
Tony Abbott's response to the PM 27 August 2010 http://mp3.news.com.au/hwt/Response%20to%20Caretaker%20PM.pdf
“I am pleased to report that Mr Abbott has generally agreed that the independents should be able to get the material that they seek,'' she said.
“I welcome Mr Abbott's general agreement to that.''
After scheduling a live media conference, Ms Gillard delaying her appearance for about 45 minutes, before receiving the final assent from Mr Abbott.
Ms Gillard stressed the independents would get the briefing and “what they do with that is up to them”.
But she called on Mr Abbott to be “as transparent, open and honest with the Australian people as I am prepared to be” and allow the public to see the costings too.
Ms Gillard said that after Treasury had completed its assessment of Opposition costings, they should be released publicly, the same way Labor had released the costs of its promises.
“Every Australian has access to the government's costings. Every Australian should have access to Mr Abbott's costings done by Treasury,'' she said.
“That is fundamental to the national interest and Mr Abbott should agree to that.
“It seems to me that Mr Abbott cannot find a credible objection to that.''
Mr Abbott’s agreement came with conditions including that any background information, costings and assumptions not be given to Ms Gillard’s office, Treasury or the Department of Finance.
“And of course, I've agreed to that,'' she said.
Mr Abbott also demanded that the ALP give details of its mineral resources rent tax and $43 billion broadband network, although Ms Gillard pointed out that information was already contained it the pre-election fiscal outlook
Both leaders had agreed to amend caretaker government conventions so that the bloc of three independent MPs could be given a Treasury briefing about the budget impact of Labor and coalition policies.
Ms Gillard said the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet had advised her about the changes needed.
Ms Gillard said her actions had been focused on continuing to provide "stable and responsible government" throughout the negotiations.
Coalition won't play the spoiler
Along the same lines, Opposition leader Tony Abbott today stated he would not back a Family First threat to block supply as he was accused of trying to force fresh elections.
Mr Abbott indicated today that the Coalition would be responsible and not combine with Senator Fielding to block supply.
Family First senator Steve Fielding had threatened to throw a spanner in the works by blocking legislation by any Labor government after the Australian people decided they did not want the Labor government returned for a further three years.
“The election gave Labor a huge slap across the face, saying you're not worthy of a second term,'' he told ABC Radio today.
Senator Fielding, who is struggling to retain his own place in Parliament following the election, is one of seven crossbenchers who will hold the balance of power in the Upper House until June 30, 2011.
He would not rule out voting against all Labor legislation or guaranteeing support for government supply bills.
The coalition with Senator Fielding's support could stymie any legislation that comes from the lower house during the first eight or nine months of the new parliament.
Senator Fielding said the governor-general needed to take into account the situation in both houses of parliament when considering...
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