Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law) Share this | Hansard source

I must say that I am surprised the Greens are supporting this—for a pretty obvious reason. It is not always easy to tell what is in fact competitive neutral policy. Competitive neutral policy requires that the Commonwealth does not use its legislative or fiscal powers to advantage its own businesses over the private sector. As I say, it is not always easy to tell, as we have seen with ABC Learning, for example—which is why I would have thought the Greens would have been a little more hesitant to jump in to support these amendments.

The government does adhere to the neutrality policy. Consistent with best practice, applications for payments from the funds will be managed on a competitive basis. Existing government policy will apply to the funds where relevant, including competitive neutrality guidelines. Therefore, we do not believe there is any need to legislate this requirement.

Question agreed to.