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

By way of final contribution and in answer to Senator Macdonald's question, I can reassure him that the government is very comfortable with the additional accountability and transparency measures that are included in these amendments. We believe that they're broadly in line with what applies in other parts of government. They certainly don't go beyond what we feel is appropriate in the circumstances. I can also confirm previous advice that the government intends to include a reference within the rules presenting the terms and conditions for any agreement with the states and territories for the construction of water infrastructure—that the states cannot privatise or sell off water infrastructure that has been built using Commonwealth funding through the Regional Investment Corporation. These rules will be disallowable instruments as a result of the amendments that have been moved by the opposition.