Package to get parliamentary approval =2

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2009
Package to get parliamentary approval =2

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

"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 said there would be an additional $500 million brought forward during
the next three-and-a-half years for water buybacks, bringing the total spend to over $2
billion for that period.

There would be $200 million in grants to assist local communities in water saving and
planning for the future.

For the first time there would be a guaranteed $200 million for stormwater harvesting
projects, with the threshold for commonwealth contributions reduced from projects worth
$30 million to just $4 million.

Significant changes will be made to restrictions on emergency circumstances exit grant
packages, so that larger properties could qualify.

The previous restriction of 15 hectares is to be increased to 40 hectares or less.

"This increase will most likely see demand for exit packages increased," Senator Xenophon said.

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown, who negotiated a separate deal on the stimulus
package with the government, described Senator Xenophon's announcement as "a splendid
outcome".

"The opposition must be wondering how it missed the bus," he told the Senate promoting
jeers from coalition senators.

Family First senator Steve Fielding also announced he had won support from the government
for a $200 million pilot program for his jobs-building plan for local communities.

The plan will offer grants of up to $2 million in grassroots projects.

"It's a start," he said, referring to his earlier demand for $4 billion.

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KEYWORD: STIMULUS 2ND UPDATE 2 CANBERRA

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