FED: Rudd faces further dissent from within Labor ranks

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2008
FED: Rudd faces further dissent from within Labor ranks

Prime Minister KEVIN RUDD's facing more dissent from within Labor ranks as he prepares
for a speech today in which he'll outline the government's vision for the nation's future.

Mr RUDD will unveil his plans at the National Press Club in Canberra .. laying out
the framework to take Labor through to the next election.

The speech will cover five major themes .. including how to a build a more secure nation
.. a stronger economy and a fairer Australia.

But the PM's under pressure from backbenchers over a plan to quarantine welfare payments
from parents whose kids wag school .. while also wrestling increasing demands for the
construction industry watchdog to be axed.

Labor MP DICK ADAMS says the plan to quarantine welfare payments is causing tension
among backbenchers .. who say Labor's caucus wasn't properly briefed .. even though it
was in the budget papers in May.

AAP RTV kms/mfh/wz/fdf

KEYWORD: LABOR (CANBERRA)

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