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

The government obviously do not have a majority in the Senate so it is incumbent on us, in seeking to achieve a consensus through this chamber, to work with non-government senators, and that is what we have done on this occasion. On previous occasions we have been able to reach a consensus with Labor and that is a matter of public record. On previous occasions we have been able to reach a consensus with the Greens, and on this occasion we are very grateful that we have been able to reach a consensus on good public policy with One Nation, the Nick Xenophon Team, Senator Hinch, Senator Leyonhelm and Senator Bernardi.

We consider it to be our job to engage with all non-government senators to explain what the government are trying to do and why. We believe that in all of the circumstances the savings that are in front of the Senate are reasonable and fair, and we believe that the government's childcare reform package is an important package which will help working families. They will get better access to more affordable and more flexible child care, in particular, geared towards providing better support to low- and middle-income families. We are, of course, substantially responding to the recommendations of the Productivity Commission in terms of how that should best be done to ensure that there is downward pressure on the increases in costs of provider-driven child care, and the reforms are there for everyone to see.

We have engaged with Senator Hanson and we are very grateful for Senator Hanson's support. We have engaged with Senator Hinch and we are very grateful for his support. We have engaged with a whole range of other senators and we are pleased that we were able to reach a consensus.