FED: Parties wait to see the Harradine insurance = 4

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-1998
FED: Parties wait to see the Harradine insurance = 4

Asked whether a compromise might be achieved today, John Woodley (AD, Qld) said: "Who
knows?

"The discussions hes (Senator Harradine) had are along the lines of the propositions weve
already put, only hes weakened considerably the package that the Democrats put up.

"But if he can get some compromise with the government then I guess we should all be
pleased about that."

Senator Woodley said he did not know in what ways Senator Harradine had changed the
Democrats package.

National Party Senate leader Ron Boswell said he was baffled by Labors opposition to the
bill.

"Sometimes I can understand the Labor Party but I just cant even begin to see what theyre
trying to do except commit political suicide, and this is the most stupid thing Ive seen any
political party attempt to do ... to deny (people) an opportunity to get a health rebate,"
Senator Boswell told reporters.

But he said he did not know what Senator Harradine wanted.

He expected the bill to get through today or tonight if commonsense prevailed.

Bill OChee (NP, Qld) said he was opposed to any compromise.

"A compromise means to take away from people who need it the health rebate," Senator OChee
said.

"A compromise means to water down a system that 70 per cent of Australia wants and I dont
think thats sensible and I dont think thats fair."

AAP fh/mk/de

KEYWORD: INSURANCE SENATE 4 CANBERRA

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