Debate resumed from 22 May, on motion by Mr Costello:

That this bill be now read a second time.

upon which Mr Swan moved by way of amendment:

That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: “whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House is of the view that:

(1)

despite record high commodity prices and rising levels of taxation the Government has failed to secure Australia’s long term economic fundamentals and that it should be condemned for its failure to:

(a)

stem the widening current account deficit and trade deficits;

(b)

reverse the reduction in public education and training investment;

(c)

provide national leadership in infrastructure including high speed broadband for the whole country;

(d)

further reduce effective marginal tax rates to meet the intergenerational challenge of greater workforce participation;

(e)

provide accessible and affordable long-day childcare for working families;

(f)

fundamentally reform our health system to equip it for a future focused on prevention, early intervention and an ageing population;

(g)

expand and encourage research and development to move Australian industry and exports up the value-chain;

(h)

provide for the economic, social and environmental sustainability for our region, and

(i)

address falling levels of workplace productivity; and that

(2)

the Government’s extreme industrial relations laws will lower wages and conditions for many workers and do nothing to enhance productivity, participation or economic growth; and that

(3)

the Government’s Budget documents fail the test of transparency and accountability”.

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