The March in May protest on Parliament Lawns, Hobart, Sunday May 18
•ABC: State and Territory leaders call for urgent meeting with PM over budget cuts State and territory leaders have united in condemnation of federal budget cuts to schools and hospitals, and are demanding an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Tony Abbott to resolve the issue. They warn that a decision to strip $80 billion from health and education funding over the coming decade will force many states to slash services. “The cuts that have been put forward by the Federal Government we cannot absorb,” New South Wales Premier Mike Baird told journalists at a joint news conference with other state leaders. “We can give no clearer message to Canberra than to say we cannot absorb these cuts.”
• Annabel Crabb, Fairfax: Whatever happened to ‘without fear or favour’
• The New Daily: Budget payback: Coalition poll plunge Support for Tony Abbott’s coalition has plunged as Australian voters react to a widely unpopular budget, two opinion polls show. A Newspoll, published in The Australian, and a Fairfax-Nielsen poll were taken last week, with both suggesting a massive hit to the coalition after a budget that’s been criticised for being too harsh. The polls findings suggest there is voter anger over the government’s $80 billion of cuts to schools and hospitals over the next 10 years, as well as harsh treatment of low-income families and broken promises. The coalitions primary vote dipped two percentage points to 36 per cent, compared to Labor’s 38 per cent, Newspoll shows. That’s the coalition’s worst standing since Tony Abbott won the Liberal leadership in December 2009, and the ALP’s best result in four months with a rise of four points. On a two-party preferred basis Newspoll gives the ALP a 10-point lead – 55 to 45 per cent – and has Labor Leader Bill Shorten leading Mr Abbott by 10 points. The Nielsen poll shows similar results. It has Labor’s primary support sitting at 40 – up six points – and the coalition trailing behind on 35 – down five points. • HERE
• Phil na Champassak: Dear Tasmanian Time Readers, I just created the petition “Double dissolution: Vote on the Federal Budget” and wanted to ask if you could add your name to it …
This campaign means a lot to me and the more support we can get behind it, the better chance we have of succeeding. You can read more and sign the petition here:
https://www.communityrun.org/petitions/double-dissolution-yes-or-no-vote-on-the-federal-budget
Thank you!
Phil
P.S. Can you also take a moment to share the petition with others? It’s really easy – all you need to do is forward this email or share this link on Facebook or Twitter:
https://www.communityrun.org/petitions/double-dissolution-yes-or-no-vote-on-the-federal-budget
