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

I thank Senator Seselja for this question and for his genuine interest in policies that strengthen growth so we can see more and better jobs created across the Australian economy. The Harper review was really a call to arms for all Australians and all levels of government in Australia to embrace competition and to embrace policies to improve competition across Australia as a key component of our overall strategy to strengthen growth and create more and better jobs.

With competition, of course, comes greater consumer choice, a more productive economy and higher living standards, which will help drive growth in jobs in our economy. As I mentioned to the Senate yesterday, the government is embracing the Harper review by supporting, in whole or in part, 44 of the 56 recommendations, while we remain open to the remaining 12 recommendations and of course are committed to do some further work in relation to those matters, talking with the states and territories and other stakeholders. The Hilmer review in 1993 led to a decade of pro-competitive reforms through the National Competition Policy, which increased Australia's GDP by 2.5 per cent, and the Harper review is an opportunity to build on this legacy.

The government is already engaging with the states and territories to develop a national framework to advance an ambitious competition reform agenda. Many areas of reform identified in the Harper review are in areas of state and territory responsibility, such as planning and zoning and retail trading hours, or in areas of shared responsibility with the Commonwealth, such as human services. The government is willing to consider payments to the states and territories for reforms that deliver improved productivity and boost economic growth, as such payments were integral to the success of the National Competition Policy 20 years ago. (Time expired)