How the stimulus package passed parliament

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2009
How the stimulus package passed parliament

How the $42 billion economic stimulus package passed parliament:



- Rudd government introduces a package of six bills, implementing the package, to the
House of Representatives where Labor has a majority.

- Lower house passes the package and transmits the bills to the Senate, where Labor
is in the minority and needs the support of seven crossbench senators.

- Labor and the Greens reach a deal which amends the package. So, too, does Family
First senator Steve Fielding.

- The Senate votes 35-35 on the package of bills and amendments after Independent senator
Nick Xenophon sided with the coalition. A tied vote means the package is rejected.

- The Senate communicates its decision to the House of Representatives.

- The government drafts a second package of bills, taking in the amendments agreed
with the Greens.

- The House of Representatives passes the second package and transmits the new bills
to the Senate.

- The Senate votes 30-28 to approve the bills, after Senator Xenophon reached an agreement
with the government.

- The bills are sent to the Governor-General for Royal Assent, when they become Acts
and are enacted into law.

AAP rl/it

KEYWORD: STIMULUS PARLY FACTBOX

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