Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

It is a matter of public record that the report was received by the government in May. Senator Pratt, who was asking a question, verballed something that allegedly was written in a letter that I'd sent to the Senate purporting to quote something which wasn't a quote. I can again confirm that the government received the relevant report, which was commissioned by cabinet, in May, that the deliberative processes of cabinet have not been concluded, that the relevant minister—

Senator Jacinta Collins interjecting—

The deliberative processes of government have started. As I indicated on Monday, the deliberative processes of cabinet don't just start with cabinet receiving final submissions with final recommendations in response to a particular report. The deliberative processes of cabinet actually start with relevant ministers preparing a submission to cabinet and, of course, this particular document is the key input into the cabinet deliberations on this topic. It was specifically commissioned for that purpose. It was received by government in May, as is a matter of public record, and the deliberative processes of cabinet have not yet been finalised. It continues to inform the deliberative processes of cabinet. It is subject to the deliberative processes of cabinet. So, in due course, this will go in front of the full cabinet for a decision and, in due course, the government will release the report, together with the response the government has adopted.