Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr President. The government did have all of the facts in front of it. In all of the circumstances before us, we decided that it was not appropriate to provide taxpayers' money in support of this commercial investment. It is not the job of the taxpayer to provide gifts to very profitable companies like Coca-Cola Amatil to help them achieve a higher return than they otherwise would. It is not the job of the Australian taxpayer. This government has put a clear line in the sand. The previous government spent money willy-nilly. They did not treat taxpayers' money with respect. This government does it differently. (Time expired)