Australians feel more tasered than surprised by the Abbott government’s first year in power, says independent South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon, who has accused the government of “sneaking up on people with quite radical changes” over the past 12 months.
“The government promised no surprises,” Senator Xenophon told the ABC on the one year anniversary of Tony Abbott’s election as prime minister.
“I think some Australians feel more tasered than surprised by some of the changes.”
Senator Xenophon says those quite radical changes include deregulation of university fees, a $7 GP co-payment and welfare cuts.
“I think a lot of Howard battlers are feeling quite betrayed at the way the government has gone about things,” he said.
Several of the Abbott government’s budget measures face defeat in the Senate, where key crossbenchers – including Nick Xenophon – refuse to get on board.
Source: ABC