JULIA Gillard has been warned from within her own party against punishing families to make short-term budget savings, amid speculation welfare cuts are being considered.
Senior Labor Left figure Doug Cameron told The Australian Online this morning that there would be “significant interest” from the party's backbench about the impact of any welfare changes.
“One of the problems generally in Australian politics has been short-termism,” Senator Cameron said.
“I hope the party leadership don't take a short term view on welfare reform on the basis of balancing the budget.
“There has to be a long-term approach to welfare reform which is about looking after those who can't look after themselves.”
Speculation is mounting that the government is considering welfare cuts to pay for disaster reconstruction, including cuts to the education tax rebate and family tax benefits.
“made things better”, but too often they had made things worse.
“Unfortunately reform in Australian politics has been about making things worse in the past,” he said.
“As long as it's about making things better, it's about reform. I'm particularly interested in making sure that we not only have a strong economy but a good society.”
The Gillard government is facing opposition to its $1.8 billion flood levy from the Tony Abbott-led Coalition, which argues reconstruction money should come entirely from savings measures.
Senator Cameron said Labor must not abandon those who needed help from the government.
“It's clear to me that we need to as a party continue to recognise that we live in a society, not just an economy.
“And that we need to build a good society and protect those who can't protect themselves is part of a good society,” he said.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/treasury/alp-figure-warns-julia...