Michael Forshaw (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is directed to Senator Minchin, the Minister for Finance and Administration. I refer the minister to the fact that this year the $10 billion water plan, the $587 million Northern Territory intervention and the $45 million Mersey hospital takeover have all been announced before being costed by Treasury and Finance. I also refer the minister to the Treasurer’s concerns about the Prime Minister’s record election year spend in 2004. Mr Costello said:

I have to foot the bill and that worries me ... I do worry about the sustainability of all these things.

Given that the Prime Minister is again making uncosted announcements in the lead-up to the 2007 election, can the minister indicate whether he shares the Treasurer’s concerns? What is the minister doing to prevent the Prime Minister from another irresponsible election year spending spree in a desperate bid to cling to power?