Simon Birmingham has lashed out at Liberal-turned-independent Julia Banks for preferencing Labor ahead of the Coalition in Flinders, a move which could cost health minister Greg Hunt his seat in parliament. On Sunday Labor muscled up to Palmer, with Labor leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, targeting him for describing the Chinese government as “mongrels” in 2014. The United Australia party is emerging as a threat in the Senate to Labor legislating its taxation policies. Burston told Guardian Australia the United Australia party will “likely oppose” most of Labor’s economic policies, criticising the proposed $34bn impost on superannuation and the decision to stop cash rebates to self-funded retirees for excess franking credits. Burston has rejected claims the United Australia party could elect candidates who might then abandon the party, as occurred under the Palmer United party.

Source: The Guardian April 28, 2019 00:27 UTC