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

Which I have responded to—I responded to a couple of issues she raised. I am responding to issues as they are raised; I cannot do it immediately—I have indicated that I will come back with information, and I have some material for Senator Milne. So Senator Boyce’s contribution and indeed the contribution you have just made, Senator Abetz, were general economic/political critiques with some questions at the end. And this is a general debate, which you indeed requested yourself. This issue is of major importance to the future of the country and some of my own colleagues have wanted to make some general observations and, I might say, they are doing it very well.

Senator Abetz, I will come back with answers to the questions about the timing of the proof reading, if we can obtain them. I will certainly try to obtain that information about cabinet. Once we move beyond this generalist discussion I understand that Senator Evans himself will be dealing with one of the bills, the household stimulus package, and specific committee amendments, if there are any.

I will make one other general observation and then come to the responses to Senator Milne. Senator Abetz was misleading when he referred to a $200 billion debt. Let us make this clear: this package is costed at $42 billion. The budget would go into deficit—