NEW PARLIAMENTARY YEAR STARTS - GET TO THE REAL ISSUES

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The first week of the new Parliamentary year should be devoted to real issues rather than wasting time on legislation that has already been twice rejected a Northern Politician has told Kevin Rudd.

Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern & Remote Australia Senator Ian Macdonald said the Wild Rivers declarations in the Cape York Peninsular and Labor’s controversial proposals to the Commonwealth Youth Allowance scheme must be debated ahead of the misnamed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS)

“While Mr Rudd’s great big tax on everything CPRS deserves Parliamentary exposure, there are issues that are affecting Northern and Remote Australians right now that must come first,” said Senator Macdonald.

“The Wild Rivers declarations on the Cape York Peninsular have been the source of much anxiety amongst traditional owners on the Cape.

“This heavy handed and ill-conceived proposal arising from a grubby preference deal between Labor and the Greens, has the potential to deny aboriginal people on the Cape the ability to make a living from sustainable businesses on their lands.

“Last month I was in Cairns with Tony Abbott when he announced his private members bill aimed at overturning the laws.

“Now, as I return to Canberra for the year, I am calling on Mr Rudd to put aside his petty political jealousies and do what is best for indigenous people in the Far North.

“Similarly, the Labor Party’s controversial changes to the Youth Allowance payments need to be resolved immediately.

“There are thousands of students, particularly from regional areas, who are nervously waiting to see what the new parliamentary year will mean for their support payments.

“In the meantime they have been left in the lurch without relocation support or the opportunity to apply for Commonwealth Scholarships because of the failings of the part-time education Minister Julia Gillard.

“As parliament resumes for 2010, I am urging Mr Rudd to take ownership of the issues he would rather ignore and do what is best for the people of Northern and Remote Australia,” said Senator Macdonald.

END

1 February 2010

Media contact Gordon Terry      (07) 4771 3066   or   0427 960 255                                           

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