Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Government Service Delivery) Share this | Hansard source

The answer is: no, I did not, because those issues were never raised with me and were never raised at any of the meetings I was involved in. I have outlined my role: assisting all departments, all ministerial offices and all state governments in the coordination of the stimulus package. I was involved in meetings with advisers from all ministers’ officers that were involved. Every time advice was provided to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts on issues and problems in relation to the implementation of that program, the minister acted and brought in tougher guidelines to try and weed out the shonks and weed out companies that were not playing by the rules. At the same time, he raised training and accreditation within the sector. Those on the opposite side can whinge and whine and skite all they like about it; they have opposed the stimulus. They have opposed the job-saving measures of these programs from day one. And that is why, today, they are here once again—after voting against it six times—showing their absolute contempt for working Australians and for jobs. And can I say again—