Fed: Delay of wage case a stunt: Labor

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2004
Fed: Delay of wage case a stunt: Labor

CANBERRA, Dec 3 AAP - An attempt to delay the national wage case by the government
was a stunt that undermined its praise of the economy, opposition treasury spokesman Wayne
Swan said today.

The government was trying to say the economy was in a very good condition, while also
attempting to delay the wage case, Mr Swan said.

The federal government wants consideration of the national wage case to be delayed
until after the May Budget when a clearer picture of economic conditions would emerge.

Mr Swan said the government could not talk up the economy on the one hand and then
play down the economic outlook on the other.

"Either the government has confidence in the prospects of the economy or it doesn't,"

he said in a statement.

"It can't have it both ways.

"The truth is, the government is seeking to deny the benefits of economic growth to
those workers in the economy who have so far benefited least."

Mr Swan a delay to the wage case could not be warranted.

He said the government was preparing for major Budget cuts.

"It is the height of arrogance and hypocrisy for the government to seek a freeze the
wages of the lowest paid for a further six months after it has just gone on a $66 billion
pre-election spending spree," he said.

"It is clear the government intends to make everyone pay for its short term poll driven
spending blow out."

AAP sw/sb/lma/jlw

KEYWORD: WAGE LABOR

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