labor strikes deal with nats in uranium compro

Labor strikes deal with Nats in uranium compromise

13th September 2008, 13:15 WST

There is mounting speculation in political circles today that Alan Carpenter has struck a deal with the Nationals to form a minority government.

Labor sources suggested that the deal had been as good as done and it may involve a change in Mr Carpenter’s anti-uranium mining policy.

The Nationals are pro-uranium mining but Mr Carpenter remains vehemently opposed to it and promised during the election campaign to pass legislation banning it.

Sources suggested today that the door could be ajar to a change in Labor policy which may involve the royalties from uranium mining being spent on Aboriginal issues.

The Nationals are strong advocates of the Aboriginal cause and regularly pushed issues such as Aboriginal health and education during the past four years.

Nationals leader Brendon Grylls is meeting Nationals MPs and senior party officials tomorrow to discuss the offers made in writing by Labor and Liberal. Both major parties have already said they will ensure the Nationals' demands for an extra $675 million to be spent in the regions will be met.

But any deal that Mr Grylls does to allow Labor to form a government could prove highly destructive to the National Party with some MPs known to be strongly opposed to any arrangement with Labor because their real heartland would prefer a Liberal government