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

I don't agree, the government doesn't agree and, in fact, the Senate doesn't agree with your proposition of what the underpinning philosophy of this Future Drought Fund should be. As you know, your colleague Senator Whish-Wilson moved a second reading amendment that goes to the issue you raised. That was comprehensively rejected by the Senate. It was a very strong vote. Indeed, I believe that everyone other than the Greens political party voted against the proposition that you have now, again, sought to pursue.

The principle underpinning this measure, from the government's point of view and, I believe, from the overwhelming majority of senators' points of view, is that we want to provide additional support to drought affected regional communities in a fiscally sustainable fashion. This will be done by generating a regular and reliable funding stream that can be used to help fund projects that improve drought resilience and preparedness in drought affected communities. This comes on top of other measures the government has already put in place with bipartisan support. I readily acknowledge and concede that point. But the government doesn't agree with the underpinning philosophy that you assert this measure should be, and the Senate doesn't agree with you.