Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Fair Competition) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to outline that the coalition will not be supporting Senator Xenophon's amendments. The consequences of moving from 'substantially' to 'materially' may be significant. It is our view that those issues should be considered as part of the root-and-branch review of the competition act that we have proposed. Senator Xenophon, I know that you have a very good productive relationship with the shadow minister, Mr Billson, as you do with me. I know that he is keen to continue these discussions with you. But at this stage, that slight change of words needs to come from an evidence based assessment. The coalition will not support the amendments.