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

The government does not support the amendment to prevent incentives being funded by the sale of essential services. The decision as to what assets to sell to fund new infrastructure is entirely a matter for the states, as it should be. State and territory governments are best placed to decide which infrastructure and services are most efficiently provided by the private sector. The Australian government does not wish to dictate this out of Canberra or believe that it is in a position to do so on an informed basis.

Question agreed to.