31.   Mr Yip said the tax rise was used as an excuse by the government to increase revenue.

32.   She cited cutbacks in the state National Health Service, tax rises and failing schools under the Tories, but feared Labor would do no better.

33.   Sir Donald described altering the fuel tax rise as unwise and called on interim legislators to consider his points carefully.

34.   Sources at his Downing Street office were quoted as saying Major had wanted to drop the tax rise but was thwarted in the Cabinet by Clarke.

35.   The federal Cabinet began meeting Monday to consider the May budget amid speculation that a corporate tax rise may be on the agenda.

36.   The government spokeswoman rejected speculation about tax rises.

37.   The issue has lost some of its steam as the gas tax price rise has slowed and oil-producing nations agreed to increase their output.

38.   He is also working on a post-election special budget which press reports Monday said would contain tax rises for top levels of income.

39.   He said the EPA would leave its economic assessment on hold until it completes a full assessment of the negative impact of tax rise.

40.   He said it was too early to predict whether private demand-led recovery would continue after the consumption tax rise.