Ian Macfarlane (Groom, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources) Share this | Hansard source

Having listened to the Minister representing the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, I am none the wiser as to why the government will not accept the amendment moved in the Senate. I have not had the opportunity to be briefed by the department on this matter, but, to my way of understanding, the level of transparency being requested by this amendment is no different to that which already exists in other government schemes and other government grants as they are applied. By way of example, the export market development grants have provision for the release of this information; the textile, clothing and footwear grants also have provision for total transparency in terms of the grants provided; and the commercial ready grants—over $1 billion in innovation grants, which of course those who sit opposite put the axe through in their last budget—also had full transparency provisions. I am therefore unconvinced of the government’s opposition to and argument for opposing this amendment.

It seems only fair to me that, if $3 billion worth of taxpayers’ money is being provided, there be some level of transparency—not at the minister’s discretion, because we have seen with Building the Education Revolution the enormous waste of money that is going on there. One point seven billion dollars, more than half of this scheme, has just been wasted in a cost overrun. The government needs to be brought to account, not at its discretion. Through the Automotive Transformation Scheme Bill 2009 there should be a requirement for transparency. It is only fair and reasonable to request that. We do not know what the government is trying to hide. It is always prepared to announce grants of any description that it makes to the automotive industry. At times, even when those grants are questionable, they go out with much fanfare and celebration. So we believe, as does the Senate in its amendment, that there should be transparency in this legislation and full disclosure.

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