Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

I indicate that the government will not support this amendment. The purpose of the bill is to provide the relief and the incentive that have been set out at the Jobs and Skills Summit by the proponents of the bill more broadly in the community and by the government to extend that support to age pensioners and categories of people on veterans payments. The effect of adopting the amendment proposed by the Greens party would be a very significant change to the bill. Indeed, it would take it away from its primary purpose and, in our view, would have unintended consequences. I understand that that is not material for the proposes of the amendment because they want to make a political point about the system more broadly. I understand that, and I do appreciate that some of those points have been made and the manner in which they have been made over the course of yesterday. I expect more courtesy today, but the government won't be supporting this amendment. I urge the Senate not to support it either.