Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

I indicate that the government strenuously opposes these propositions. The opposition’s measures, if they were accepted by the government, would mean, on indicative estimates calculated by the department, around $750 million over the forward estimates—a $750 million increase in expenditure. This charge, of course, could be offset if the Liberal Party had any sense of economic responsibility, but where are the offsets? Where are the offsets that you are proposing? You want the government to pick up $750 million worth of increased expenditure, and we are not going to do it.