Chris Bowen (Prospect, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law) Share this | Hansard source

Madam Deputy Speaker, with due deference to my honourable colleague I do not think he could in all seriousness suggest that I have not been willing to deal with this issue for the last half hour by answering his questions. I was simply making the point that, as of last week, it is no longer my portfolio responsibility, and I am unaware of the situation in relation to every single company in Australia as to how they are dealing with this matter. Until the reshuffle, I was in very constant consultation with industry about this matter and a number of companies and peak groups came to see me to talk through those issues. Those consultations are now through the existing Assistant Treasurer, and I am being honest by saying that I am not aware of the details of feedback the government has had in relation to the discussion paper. That is something being handled by the new Assistant Treasurer. How these companies respond is a matter for them. I have been absolutely delighted to take the honourable gentleman’s questions for the last 20 minutes and answer them as fully as I can.

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