Govt payment of $950...is it going through or will the opposition block it?

[BeautifulMadness]

So what does this all mean exactly? in plain boring english for the silly prego women

[Isadora]

As much as $950 would help us out, like most families, I hope it isnt passed. Imagine in the future when we have to pay it back via higher tax rates. No thanks. I know alot of people are struggling, but there are many families in a far worse position, think about the fire victims. If anyone should get some money from the govt it should be them & then at least we know it will go to good use and not blown on material things.

[Inanna]

It means that Government will push it thru.

[Beatrix]

i really think it needs to be passed.. from what i have researched.


I have looked at Nick Xenophon is asking and it is truly enormous.. I think there are btter ways to go about addressing his issues with the murray then holding it over the Australian economies head

[Inanna]

I agree with you Beatrix...

[briggsy's girl]

just want to point out - whether this goes through or not, Rudd has promised uncapped funding for infrastructure in the areas devastated by the Vic fires... nothing to do with the fires funding is, or will be, linked to this stimulus package

essentially this "amendment" is going to be sent back to the house of Reps to be looked at, they'll vote on it, go back to senate and it will be pushed through - there may be some changes to the package, but too hard to know what yet

[BellyBelly]

Me three, I can't believe he's doing it... I understand why he wants it but gees, use this to hold it all to ransom! Not good!

[Trillian]

You mean Nick Xenophon, Kelly?

The Govt has gone to great lengths to distance themselves from claims that it was all going to be linked, but I think it was a bit of a sneaky tactic to put the link in people's minds, even though the Govt knew it wasn't true, just so there would be added pressure to put it through - but I'm a conspiracy theorist at heart ROFL. I don't like the thought that Kenophon will essentially hold the Govt to ransom on something that isn't going to be fixed as easy as he thinks it is. Paying farmers to walk off the land is not the answer.

[2CheekyMonkeys]

DH just texted me that it has gone through, its 900 now though. ??

[barney]

woohoo i wonder if my dh gets it ? heheh i hope so

[BeautifulMadness]

yeah my mum was yelling me its only $900, now is that just a one off or the same as before just $50 less

[CathyS]

I guess we'll have to watch the news tonight.

[Inanna]

I believe that workers receive $900 if their net earnings are 80K or under. Under 100K I believe is $600.

I believe if you receive FTB B & A you receive $950 and if you receive FTB A you will receive $950 for each school attending child.

[Inanna]

yesterday
Senate votes 30-28 for plan
THE Senate has passed the $42 billion stimulus package after week of drawn-out negotiations between the Government and crossbenchers.

The Senate voted 30-28 to approve the package.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon was the last crossbencher to agree to terms with the Government, after it agreed to bring forward money for the Murray-Darling Basin.

The package will now go back to parliament's lower house - where the Government has a strong majority - before it becomes law and can distribute money designed to boost the economy.

"I believe this is the right thing to do and I am willing to support the Government's economic stimulus package,'' Senator Nick Xenophon said shortly before the vote, after intense negotiations with government officals overnight.

Mr Xenophon's no vote blocked the plan in the Senate yesterday, prompting the Rudd Government to reintroduce the legislation.

The Independent MP agreed to vote for the $42 billion package after the Government gave in to his requests for extra funding for the Murray-Darling Basin.

Related Coverage
IMF: Start shifting stimulus now
Mr X gets extra $1bn for river
Adelaide Now, 13 Feb 2009
Xenophon moves to back Rudd stimulus
The Australian, 13 Feb 2009
Deal reached on stimulus package
Herald Sun, 13 Feb 2009
Senate passes $42bn stimulus
Courier Mail, 13 Feb 2009
Senate back as Xenophon gains ground
The Australian, 13 Feb 2009
Your Say
¿and all the single mothers and bludgers will look forward to more free money in the future and they'll vote to keep Labor in for another term. Outrageous! He's just buyin...
(Read More)
Ethan Max of Brisbane
The Government will now fast track $900 million for the Murray-Darling Basin, and bring forward an extra $500 million for water buybacks.

The agreement included an extra $200 million in community grants and $200 million for stormwater harvesting, as well as new rules making properties up to 40,000 hectares able to claim emergency grants, Mr Xenophon told the Senate.

The Government also agreed to a Productivity Commission inquiry into the most efficient way to manage water buybacks, he said.

"I am willing to support the Government's economic stimulus package," he told the Senate after outlining details of the deal.

"Ultimately, I was sent here to do a job and that job is to do whatever I can to assist the hundreds of thousands of people along the (Murray-Darling) rivers."

While the deal had not given everyone what they wanted, it may have given them what they need, he said.

"This morning, the Treasurer and the Water Minister (Penny Wong) have agreed to a package of $900 million in spending commitments including fast-tracking spending for the Murray-Darling-Basin, for its economy over and above any previous commitments," Senator Xenophon said.

Senator Xenophon yesterday joined with the Coalition to scuttle the Government's first attempt to get its economic kick-start through the Senate.

The shock defeat made Australia the first country to vote down a stimulus package designed to head-off a recession during the economic crisis.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd immediately reintroduced his emergency economic plan into Parliament, passing through the lower house late last night.

The Government yesterday cut the cash handouts to low-income workers and single income families by $50 to $900 to win the support of the Greens. The savings will go to green jobs and extra help for the jobless.