Fed: Costello says Democrats blamed members for blocking Budget

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Fed: Costello says Democrats blamed members for blocking Budget

CANBERRA, Aug 22 AAP - Democrat senators wanted to pass the government's Budget cutsbut were afraid of a backlash from their party membership, Treasurer Peter Costello saidtoday.

"I think what's happened over the years is you've had increasingly single issue activistsjoin the Australian Democrats and seek to use it as a vehicle for their issue, whateverit be," he said.

"The argument going on in the Democrats is `are we Australian Democrats as our founderlaid down, (that is) a balance of power party, or are we an activist party of the leftrivalling the Greens," he said.

"If they want to go out and out-green the Greens, that would be very difficult for them.

"Their best days were when they were founded and when they exercised that balance ofpower scrutiny role in the Senate."

Mr Costello said he was unsure whether the departure of leader Natasha Stott Despojawould make it easier for the government to get its legislation through the Senate.

"In the discussions I had with the Democrats over the Budget measures, I think theattitude was `yes, we can see the sense and the logic (of the cuts) and yes we can seewhy you're doing this.

"'But we also have our party membership which is a lot less responsible on these issues,which might punish us if we did the right thing'," Mr Costello said.

"Now, if there are Democrats that really do believe in that balance of power view ...

it may be possible to get a more constructive Senate.

"I hope that is the case but it's far too early to say at the moment."

Mr Costello said he hoped the party would get back to its original role of scrutinisinglegislation but essentially allowing government to implement its agenda.

"Because they were going through this difficulty at the time, they didn't get aroundto exercising that role."

AAP jph/daw/mg/de

KEYWORD: DEMOCRATS COSTELLO