WA: Abbott brushes aside union "smear"

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2010
WA: Abbott brushes aside union "smear"

PERTH, April 21 AAP - Opposition leader Tony Abbott has brushed aside a union leader
comparing him with Pauline Hanson for even thinking of stopping the dole for people under
30.

Mr Abbott said the opposition had not yet announced a policy but is considering cutting
the dole for anyone under 30 who would not move to take up jobs.

He said conversations with employers in Western Australia had highlighted the shortage
of labour especially in the resources industry.

"I think that it's very important that we address labour shortages, particularly here
in the west," Mr Abbott told reporters in Perth.

"We have employers in the west screaming out for labour and yet we have social security
system that doesn't always give people the incentives they need to go and get work.

"I think it's very important that people be mobile in search of jobs."

Australian Workers Union boss Paul Howes said people under 30 would not automatically
find work in the resources sector under any such scheme.

"This is crass politics at it's worst, the type of thing that was typical of Pauline
Hanson," Mr Howes told Sky News on Wednesday.

"It's one of Tony Abbott's Sarah Palin moments."

Mr Howes said it was ultra right wing politics.

But Mr Abbott laughed off the comparison to Ms Hanson.

"I don't respond to smear," Mr Abbott said.

AAP ah/dl

KEYWORD: DOLE ABBOTT UPDATE

� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.