By Jane Wardell SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott signaled on Monday he is open to compromises with opposition lawmakers on his unpopular budget, a major concession to help push the austere savings plan through a hostile Senate. Three months since handing down its first budget, Abbott's conservative government has failed to win enough support in parliament's upper house for measures such as increased medical fees and cuts to family welfare payments. The Liberal-National coalition government argues that the tough budget, which prompted public protests in May, will overcome unsustainable deficits totaling A$60 billion ($56 billion) over the next four years. Critics say it is unnecessarily draconian, noting that Australia's AAA-rated debt pales in comparison to most developed nations and the savings measures might actually damage the economy.
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