Fed: We thought we had a deal with Xenophon, Tanner

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2009
Fed: We thought we had a deal with Xenophon, Tanner

The federal government says it thought it had a deal with NICK XENOPHON to get its
economic stimulus package through the Senate .. before the independent senator asked for
billions more dollars for work on the Murray-Darling Basin.

The government's holding talks with the South Australian senator this morning .. seeking
a breakthrough.

Senator XENOPHON voted with the coalition yesterday .. to scuttle an amended 42 million
dollar package hammered out in deal between the government and the Greens.

Finance Minister LINDSAY TANNER says they thought they had a deal with Senator XENOPHON
as well .. when they agreed to bring forward about 400 million dollars in spending for
the major river basin.

But Mr TANNER says that at the last moment .. the senator came back with a giant proposal
involving billions of dollars .. which the government can't conceivably agree to.

AAP RTV cb/rl/rt

KEYWORD: STIMULUS TANNER (CANBERRA)

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