Fed: Swan rejects claims Labor stole baby policy from government

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2004
Fed: Swan rejects claims Labor stole baby policy from government

The Labor Party has rejected claims it stole the idea for a baby care payment from
a leaked government document.

Opposition Leader MARK LATHAM announced the policy yesterday, describing it as one
of the most significant welfare decisions of recent years.

Opposition Family and Community Services spokesman WAYNE SWAN says the plan to pay
mothers between $3,000 and $5,000 was not copied from the government because the government
had no family policy to copy from.

He's also denied that the policy was released yesterday to distract political debate
away from the issue of Australian troops in Iraq.

Mr SWAN says comments by Treasurer PETER COSTELLO that the policy is underfunded by
$350 million are also baseless.

AAP RTV pj/ajc/sco

KEYWORD: BABY SWAN (CANBERRA)

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