Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

I thought I'd let Senator Lambie have the call for a bit and follow her issues through, but I thought I should put on the record Labor's position on Senator Lambie's amendments. Labor senators will not be supporting these amendments. This legislation provides guarantees in a similar manner to how the Commonwealth provides off-budget financing across a number of portfolio areas. These matters are normally managed through the statement of expectation and the investment mandate.

Whilst the committee heard evidence during the legislative inquiry that caps could be introduced via legislation or regulation, Labor senators emphasised that an early review of the scheme was the best way to ensure the scheme was meeting its objectives. That's why Labor will not be supporting these amendments at this time. While I'm on my feet, I might remind you, Mr Acting Deputy President Bernardi, that in my second reading speech I foreshadowed some other amendments that Labor is making to this bill as well, but I won't go into that again.