Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

On the amendments that are before the chair only, can I indicate—unsurprisingly, as I have indicated to Senator Lazarus and Senator Lambie; I do not think I have had an opportunity to speak to Senator Madigan—that, given our policy position, we are not in a position to support amendment (1). We would ask that the question be divided, though, because we are inclined to support amendment (2) on sheet 7792. Obviously we might have a different view about what that review should do, but in principle an independent review, particularly given how many anomalies there are in the current framework, we think has some merit.

I would make the point that the minister's assertions about why he does not want this review are inconsistent with the assertions he made about why the Greens review in relation to the water entitlements was a good idea. I am a little confused as to why the government thinks this review is such a bad thing but the review that Senator Whish-Wilson and Senator Di Natale have got a deal on is such a good thing. But, leaving that aside, that is the opposition's position.