Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, it is not often that I get close to the point of saying that a question does not deserve a serious answer, but Senator Fielding is getting very close. It is quite right to say that the issue of excessive remuneration ought to be on the public agenda. This government has made it very clear that it thinks a lot of that remuneration has been excessive. We are also very proud of achievements in introducing compulsory superannuation to provide much better retirement income for all Australian workers and families under the previous Hawke and Keating governments. That is a vast improvement in public policy in this country. Senator Fielding can argue his point about parliamentary remuneration arrangements before the tribunal, can seek to use his position as a legislator to make changes, but, quite frankly, cheap shots do not deserve much more of a response than that.