Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Aged Care, Disabilities and Carers) Share this | Hansard source

No. You are correct; it is not that amount of money, and I am sure the minister will explain. The indication was some $500 million, but we will get that clarified. I understand why Senator Murray has little faith in the government saying that this is what they are going to do with the proceeds of something and then it not occurring. Whilst it is not exactly the same, I do recall, prior to my entering this place, that the Democrats had some understanding with the government prior to the passage of the GST legislation, and certain funds were to be allocated to the environment in certain ways. Assessment of that agreement shows quite clearly that funds were not allocated in the way that that agreement stipulated. It is very clear that that agreement did not deliver what those members of the Democrats were interested in achieving back in 1999.

It is clear that the Democrats do not have any faith in the commitment the government has made, and that is the motivation for this amendment. However, as I have stated on a number of occasions this evening, the Labor Party does not contemplate the sale of Medibank Private, so any support of an amendment that contemplates the proceeds of the sale cannot be supported. I look forward to the minister’s response explaining how Senator Murray can have faith that the commitments that have been made will actually be delivered.