Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Hansard source

I will ask again—and I take it, given that you have not been able to tell me that there is an AusIndustry officer here: how many firms received advance approval for R&D spends in 2015-16 from AusIndustry, who will now be adversely affected by these measures?

The minister shakes his head. You refuse to answer? Or you do not know? Are you confessing to your profound ignorance yet again? Once again, your demonstrate your contempt for this chamber. You simply do not know the answer. That is the truth of the matter. You have not had the relevant officers here to be able to advise you. I can understand that a minister does not necessarily follow every element of the administration of this issue. But you should at least have the relevant officers here to tell you how many occasions a company has been given pre-approval, which is now being effectively rescinded by your unilateral actions to introduce measures that are effectively government sponsored measures, without notice. This is an application of retrospectivity to the taxation law which on any standard would not be acceptable in any normal circumstances.

The CHAIRMAN: The question is that opposition amendment (1) on sheet 7650 be agreed to.