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Three of the Northern Territory's Indigenous backbenchers have resigned from the Country Liberals.

The move could push the Territory Government into a minority position.

Rebel MLAs Alison Anderson, Larisa Lee and Francis Xavier Kurrupuwuy had been negotiating with Chief Minister Adam Giles for the reinstatement of an Aboriginal Affairs department, with Ms Anderson as the minister.

Ms Lee also wanted a ministry.

The ABC understands that their demands included the dumping of Matt Conlan and Indigenous MLA Bess Price from the cabinet.

Since negotiations broke down last week, the Government has accused the bush members of greed and making unreasonable demands.

The rebel MLAs subsequently accused the Government of racism.

The ABC understands the three backbenchers will move to the cross benches as independents until they can form a new regional Territory party.

If the Government doesn't win the Blain by-election next week, it will be forced to ask Independent MLA Gerry Wood to keep it in power.

Mr Giles says Ms Anderson should now get out of the way and let the Country Liberals get on with governing.

Originally posted here:

NT Government faces threat as rebel backbenchers resign from Country Liberals

Finance Minister Diana Whalen said earlier this week that the provincial budget would contain few surprises and she lived up to that promise Thursday.

Whalen introduced a $9.9-billion budget with a $279-million deficit. The document contains a collection of announcements from the Liberals election campaign platform, as well as some new initiatives, with about $80 million in new spending. Department spending increased overall by 5.4 per cent, or $455 million.

The net debt is estimated to be $14.6 billion as of March 31. Its projected to top $15 billion in the next fiscal year.

COMPLETE COVERAGE

The numbers say what Nova Scotians already know: the status quo isnt working, Whalen said. The hard truth is that we have significant challenges and a steep hill to climb.

Much of the department spending resulted from increased service pressures as well as negotiated wage increases, said Whalen. The minister said there would need to be a new approach to wage agreements, which cost about $50 million per percentage increase.

We just cant afford those kind of pressures, she said. We all need to work together to recognize we have a problem and together we can fix it. When things improve, we can offer bigger increases.

The Liberals are hanging a lot of importance on a review of taxes, regulations and fees that wont be complete until autumn. As such, Whalen said more significant changes would come in future budgets.

As for whats in this one, the majority of new spending focuses on education and health.

The Liberals will spend $32.6 million on home-care support, $10.6 million on doctor recruiting and training with a focus on rural areas, and $1.9 million for improved access to oncology and other drugs.

Originally posted here:

Liberals stick to playbook with first budget

Finance Minister Diana Whalen said earlier this week that the provincial budget would contain few surprises and she lived up to that promise Thursday.

Whalen introduced a $9.9-billion budget with a $279-million deficit. The document contains a collection of announcements from the Liberals election campaign platform, as well as some new initiatives, with about $80 million in new spending. Department spending increased overall by 5.4 per cent, or $455 million.

The net debt is estimated to be $14.6 billion as of March 31. Its projected to top $15 billion in the next fiscal year.

COMPLETE COVERAGE

The numbers say what Nova Scotians already know: the status quo isnt working, Whalen said. The hard truth is that we have significant challenges and a steep hill to climb.

Much of the department spending resulted from increased service pressures as well as negotiated wage increases, said Whalen. The minister said there would need to be a new approach to wage agreements, which cost about $50 million per percentage increase.

We just cant afford those kind of pressures, she said. We all need to work together to recognize we have a problem and together we can fix it. When things improve, we can offer bigger increases.

The Liberals are hanging a lot of importance on a review of taxes, regulations and fees that wont be complete until autumn. As such, Whalen said more significant changes would come in future budgets.

As for whats in this one, the majority of new spending focuses on education and health.

The Liberals will spend $32.6 million on home-care support, $10.6 million on doctor recruiting and training with a focus on rural areas, and $1.9 million for improved access to oncology and other drugs.

Originally posted here:

Liberals stick to playbook with first $9.9-billion budget

Jeevan D #39;Souza: What is the Main Difference between Liberals and Conservatives?

By: Cognition Clinic

See more here:

Jeevan D'Souza: What is the Main Difference between Liberals and Conservatives? - Video

Christina Commisso, CTVNews.ca Published Wednesday, April 2, 2014 5:55PM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, April 2, 2014 10:44PM EDT

The Quebec Liberals have a strong lead over the Parti Quebecois with just days left before the provincial election, a new poll shows.

According to a new CTV/Ipsos Reid poll, Liberal support sits at 37 per cent among decided voters, which has remained unchanged, while support for the PQ is down four points to 28 per cent.

Liberal support is even stronger among Quebecers who are most likely to vote in the April 7 election.

Among those who said that nothing short of an emergency would stop them from voting, 40 per cent indicated that they support the Liberals, while 28 per cent are planning to vote PQ.

Support for the Liberals and PQ was even among Quebecers who opted to complete the survey in French, with each party receiving 31 per cent support.

However, the Liberals have a commanding lead over the other parties among those who completed the survey in English, with 83 per cent support. Meanwhile, the PQ have 3 per cent support among this group.

Other parties

If the election was held tomorrow, the poll showed that the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) led by Francois Legault would receive 19 per cent of the vote (up 3 points), while Quebec Solidaire would take 13 per cent support (up 3 points). The poll showed the Option Nationale would receive 1 per cent of the vote (down 1 point), while two per cent of Quebecers would vote for some other party including the Green Party, and 7 per cent remain undecided.

Nearly one-third of Quebecers undecided

Go here to see the original:

Quebec Liberals lead PQ as election day draws near