Liberal calls for policy debate as Coalition MPs clash over funding priorities
Jessica Wright
February 29, 2012 - 9:22AM

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has clashed with backbenchers over his paid parental leave scheme.



A Liberal backbencher has acknowledged that the opposition is letting down its voters by withholding the details of its policy agenda from the public.   

Queensland MP Steve Ciobo last night said that he believed the Coalition needed to move the political debate towards policy-based issues.

''I don't think I'm letting the cat out of the bag when I say people feel that we are not being proactive enough in terms of outlining the policies that we would bring into government,'' he said. ''I think we have scope to talk about the great initiatives we've got and we do have some.''


His comments came just hours after it was revealed that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott had clashed with backbenchers over his paid parental leave scheme.

Victorian Liberal Russell Broadbent and Queensland senator Sue Boyce raised concerns that the ''Rolls-Royce'' scheme would dish out funds to the rich while leaving in doubt secure funding for the proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme.   

But Mr Abbott said he was ''welded'' to the $2.7 billion per year scheme, to be funded by a levy on big business.

''If you think we're back in the days of the Hills Hoist and the Victa mower, we're not,'' Mr Abbott told yesterday's joint party room meeting. ''It's not a welfare measure; it's a workplace entitlement.

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey has made it clear that the Coalition would want to be satisfied that the budget bottom line was in order before allocating money to policy areas such as the disability insurance scheme.   

The weekly meeting of Coalition MPs and Senators also resulted in a senior Liberal senator lashing out at his colleague and calling him a ''f---wit'' during a discussion about cut-price milk.

The NSW Liberal senator and farmer Bill Heffernan used the expletive to describe the Victorian Liberal senator Scott Ryan, who favours cheap milk.

Sources said the Victorian Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella then leapt to Senator Ryan's defence, telling Senator Heffernan: ''Why don't you go and pop your Alzheimer's pills.''

Mr Abbott has repeatedly said he will not be pressured into revealing full details of the Coalition's policy pitch before the next federal election.   

In an appearance on the ABC's Q&A program last week, Opposition Deputy Leader Julie Bishop said the Coalition had spent ''a great deal of time'' on fully developing policies "across the board".

She echoed Mr Abbott saying the Coalition will only reveal its master plan of ideas when the election is called.   

"We have been working very hard on policies across the board,'' she said.

Ms Bishop indicated the Coalition would dismantle parts of the Fair Work Act to give employers greater flexibility.

But Ms Bishop was careful not to involve herself heavily in debate of workplace policy when challenged by activist Eva Cox who accused the opposition deputy of returning to a Howard-era frame of mind.

"We made a mistake with WorkChoices. I know that. We know that."   



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/liberal-calls-for-policy-debate-as-coalition-mps-clash-over-funding-priorities-20120229-1u1q6.html#ixzz1nnoIoeQv

Since lib's little bitch has released their policy platform, why haven't the libs?

Sure, 75% of gNats policys are filled with attacking Labor and another 24% on flakey statements like "we want research into algae"

I would say 1% has potential.

If what's his face can release their polices, then why can't Abbott and the Libs.

Policies are for whimps..only a fool would let the Australian people know what they are voting for.
I know Im voting for Abbott based on the package in his speedos rather than any policy packages 

chicken_lipsforme wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 6:44am:


During that 12 mths the polls may swing back to Gillard.
Holding back policies is a gamble and if Labor can get its act together the coalition will have to do more than just whine and whinge up to the next election.

BlOoDy RiPpEr wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 6:23am:



Sure, yet I will preference and I live in an electorate that Liberals just took off Labor and now hold by 1.2%

Under Abbott, you realise it is highly unlikely I would preference Libs over Labs

Yet under Turnbull, I would listen to your lot a lot closer ... as would others.

If Libs are serious about a trifecta of loses then continue to expect no respect under Abbott, ignorance over how your lot will fund a $70 billion hole, lack of explanation of that $11 billion black hole in your last election promises and a past year of total negativity.


All your side is counting on are lies around a carbon tax to con people into voting for Liberal trickery.


http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2010/guide/macq.htm

Blood oath get rid of the carbon tax, is all you need to know for now. The rest can be platitudes like Gillard gives.

Get rid of the carbon tax.  Get rid of the mining tax.  Get rid of around 12 thousand public servants.  Restore the private health rebate, for the well off.  Cut back on this, cut back on that.  These are some of Mr Abbott's plans.   

Quote:

And what a labors plans. Tax you more, waste your tax money, waste debt and taxes.

You dont know what you want.