Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

I see that the shadow minister has now degenerated into attacking the government over the National Commission of Audit, accusing it of being run by the BCA. I am disappointed, because obviously I have tried to conduct this debate in a perfectly civil way.

The shadow minister knows that the consideration in detail of the budget is not a time for government announcements about policy. It is a time to ask questions about the budget. The government's response to the National Commission of Audit has already been published. Obviously, it is contained in the budget. The National Commission of Audit made a very wide range of recommendations to government, some of which were adopted in total, some of which were not adopted and some of which were adjusted and adopted in part. The National Commission of Audit did an excellent job in advising the government on how to try to repair the mess that the Labor Party left the budget in after six years.

Over time, we might well have cause to return to the National Commission of Audit's report for assistance and guidance, but I will not be making announcements today about any further adoption of recommendations of the National Commission of Audit. The recommendations that have been adopted are clear from the budget.

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