Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her question. The senator would well know that the government has indicated that there will be a commission of audit process. That will take a period of time and it will consider a range of programs and funding mechanisms. Senators on the other side are well aware that that is occurring. I did indicate yesterday that across the portfolio there will also be a series of reviews. The Australian people would clearly expect the incoming government to properly assess all of the previous government's arrangements for their efficacy. We saw such a mess from the previous government in the way that they ran this nation that the Australian people expect the new government to do things in an appropriate and careful manner.

For those on the other side to question why we should be reviewing some current arrangements is extraordinary, because it is the very fact that those on the other side, the previous Labor government, left us with a $200 billion net debt. Those on the other side, when in government, might think it was absolutely fine to spend consistently without any thought to appropriateness within the delivery of programs and projects, but this side of the chamber does not. As the new government we make no apologies for properly running the nation and for properly assessing the efficacy of current arrangements.