Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

There were a number of aspects to that question. I will seek to deal with them. If there are any further aspects I can deal with, I will obviously seek to refer them to the relevant minister. First, I want to be very clear that the government recognises the important and valuable role that cooperatives play in the Australian economy. I think on the last occasion on which the senator asked a question in this area I did respond in a similar vein and spoke about some of the policies and approaches that the government has put in place.

Whilst I acknowledge Senator Madigan's very strong commitment to and interest in this sector, I do take issue with the suggestion that the government has not provided any financial contribution during the International Year of Co-operatives. I think I have previously indicated—perhaps in the context of a different answer—that the sector's major conference was supported by the government through Regional Development Australia - Mid North Coast.

The primary aspect of the question really deals with the full national implementation of coherent laws. In the context of this area or many other areas where one would like more harmonised national laws, they are always easier to discuss in the abstract than to deliver in reality because they generally require agreement from other levels of government. Notwithstanding the public policy merit of a harmonised position, that is not always forthcoming. I encourage the senator to consider what role might be played in terms of other levels of government and discussions with those. In addition, the senator might be aware that as part of last year's budget the government announced its regulator for the not-for-profit sector, which the Senate has already dealt with. (Time expired)