John Watson (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate take note of the further answer given by the Minister.

I thank the Minister for Human Services for his response, but his response has not clarified the position at all. According to the budget paper that I referred to yesterday—and I referred to it by name—there was a saving of $37.5 million. The minister, in response to my question of yesterday, although he said he would take it on notice, added some comments to the effect that that money was going to be spent elsewhere.

The issue is: you cannot use the same $37.5 million twice. You cannot use it as a transfer to other activities yet at the same time in your budget papers call it a saving of $37.5 million. You have to make up your mind: is it a saving, as referred to in the budget papers, or is it a transfer and you have used that saving in another area? The people are confused. Who is right? Are you right, Minister, or is the budget paper right?

Question agreed to.