Andrew Leigh (Fraser, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Mayo for his questions. He raises an important question of proper process, the details of which I am happy to take on notice and supply to him. But I share his commitment to proper processes and have great faith in the diligence of public servants, not just in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet but in other departments as well.

This government has a strong commitment to reform and a strong commitment to ensuring that proper processes are followed. That is why under this government we have seen a continued series of important reforms making a difference in people's lives. We have seen the development of the National Broadband Network, DisabilityCare Australia, a profit based mining tax and a price on carbon pollution—any single one of which policy developments, under other governments, might have taken the entire attention of the government. Yet this government has managed each of those reforms in the context of a global financial crisis and the unusual perfect storm of a high Australian dollar and a fall-off in commodity prices. The government's commitment to reform remains steadfast, as does our commitment to public servants. It is not for this side of the House to be slashing 20,000 jobs out of the Public Service. We have great faith in the Public Service. It is the view of this side of parliament—

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