Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Head of Treasury pisses into the wind onto deaf ears.
Prime Minister John Howard has announced a $40 million plan to install seatbelts in regional buses, but says it is not motivated by the upcoming election.
Mr Howard says seatbelts will be fitted in up to 375 buses a year for the next four years and he is targeting regional areas because that is where they are most needed.
“I think it’s an election practical scheme… this is a policy that starts now,” he said.
Mr Howard travelled to the Liberal-held marginal seat of Eden-Monaro in New South Wales, to unveil the plan.
Ken Henry. Head of The Treasury Chest. “2007 will test our mettle as apolitical public servants. Today, I would like to highlight two key implications of the pre-election environment,” he said. “In a pre-election period, we need to be particularly vigilant in balancing our duty to be responsive to our ministers with the need to be non-partisan, non-political, in the advice that we provide.
“Secondly, divisions will be under pressure to respond to the growing number of policy proposals leading up to the calling of an election and once the election is called. At this time, there is a greater than usual risk of the development of policy proposals that are, frankly, bad.
The Federal Government has hinted that it will soon announce new measures to help aged pensioners.
This year’s Federal Budget delivered a one-off bonus payment of $500 for seniors and from tomorrow the more generous pensions assets test will come into force.
Community Services Minister Mal Brough has today signalled there will be more to come to benefit pensioners in the lead-up to the election.
“Secondly, divisions will be under pressure to respond to the growing number of policy proposals leading up to the calling of an election and once the election is called. At this time, there is a greater than usual risk of the development of policy proposals that are, frankly, bad.
Prime Minister John Howard has used Question Time in Federal Parliament to defend the Government's planned overhaul of nursing training, saying it will allow school leavers to begin working in hospitals immediately.
Mr Howard announced on Friday that if re-elected the Government would fund 25 privately run training schools in hospitals at a cost $170 million over five years.
“Secondly, divisions will be under pressure to respond to the growing number of policy proposals leading up to the calling of an election and once the election is called. At this time, there is a greater than usual risk of the development of policy proposals that are, frankly, bad.
Labels: Pox on 'em all.
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
