David Coleman (Banks, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Of course, close to $3 billion was spent on the pink batts program. The legislation we are considering today will stop the issuance of cheques under the $900 program. That is exactly as it should be. This relates to a program which is more than five years old. If the average Australian were aware that the government was still mailing $900 cheques to people under this program, they would be absolutely outraged—and so they should be. It is therefore extremely important that we do pass this legislation and repeal this bad practice which is in place now.

The current government has been faced with some very difficult fiscal circumstances, given the waste of the previous government, but addressing those issues is what we need to do and will do. Repealing this legislation is an important step in that.

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