Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I think Senator Minchin has been called many things in his career; I do not know if ‘Stalinist’ has been one of them! One of the Rudd government’s mantras has been to have an evidence based approach to their decision making, and I think that is to be commended. What this amendment seeks to do is to ensure that the Productivity Commission ticks off on the productivity benefits expected from projects, after they have been approved—this is not going to slow down the project; it is a separate exercise—and also examines whether there has been any cost-shifting from any state or territory government. In the New South Wales minibudget, not so long ago, there were some state projects which I think the state of New South Wales is now hoping that the Commonwealth will fund through this infrastructure fund. I think it is important that the issue of cost-shifting be assessed. I understand the government’s concerns about red tape, but I would have thought that this is a necessary check and balance, and I support the amendment.