FED:Libs bicker while nation rebuilds: Swan

AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-2011
FED:Libs bicker while nation rebuilds: Swan

CANBERRA, Feb 15 AAP - Treasurer Wayne Swan has attacked the federal opposition for
infighting at a time when people around the country are trying to rebuild their lives.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and his deputy Julia Bishop reportedly have been at odds
over the coalition's plan for spending cuts as an alternative to Labor's $1.8 billion
flood levy.

As well, finance spokesman Andrew Robb covets Joe Hockey's treasury spokesman's job.

"I think a lot of people would be pretty offended to see Abbott, Bishop, Hockey and
Robb more focused on their own positions than on the prospects of people who are trying
to rebuild their lives," Mr Swan said on Tuesday.

The treasurer was addressing the annual conference of the Australian Workers Union.

He also slammed the opposition for opposing the federal government's flood levy.

"Let's just be honest here and say the Liberal Party doesn't support the flood levy
because it involves the wealthy paying proportionately more," he said.

"They don't do fairness. When the nation was looking for the word 'yes', their only
answer was 'no'.

AAP cb/rl/jl

KEYWORD: FLOODS SWAN

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