Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The first part of Senator Macdonald’s contribution referred to the state of the car industry. It has probably escaped your attention, but this government is actually very committed to the manufacturing sector, and the car industry in particular. In fact we are so committed that we commissioned the Bracks report, which has now been completed and has been passed to government.

So let us be very clear: the government, those of us on this side of the chamber, are very committed to this industry—unlike those opposite, who stood back, washed their hands of it and watched what happened. We are in the process of putting together a government response to the Bracks report. The Bracks report was a comprehensive look at the industry. All those on the opposite side of the chamber have done is complain and make fun of it, as usual, because they have no commitment whatsoever to the car industry. They have a commitment to Porsche drivers but not to the car industry. So let us be clear about that.

On the second matter that you raised, let me be very clear: this is not a government amendment; this is a Family First amendment which we are supporting. In terms of the construct of that amendment, it is a Family First amendment.