Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

The government will be seeking to implement its budget decision, which has been outlined in our budget papers. We would be making some sensible changes to the PRRT. Those changes will see the offshore LNG industry pay more tax and pay it sooner. It will contribute, I think, $2.4 billion across the forward estimates to assist with budget repair but also to ensure that we have the resources available to continue to invest in the services that the people of Australia deserve and expect. It was the result of some methodical work that was undertaken by the Treasury about options to improve the operation of the PRRT. The option that was decided on by the government gives the biggest return to Australians sooner. We did that within the context of ensuring that we can supply gas to our population and that we can honour our international obligations. It was a sensible change. If the Greens have decided to oppose that budget decision, then of course we look forward to the decision of the coalition and hope that this doesn't turn into another one of these decisions where we don't get the support of the coalition for a sensible change. It has been backed by the industry. We have been cautiously careful with our considerations on this. We believe that the Australian budget should receive more revenue from this measure. We are hopeful that, if we can't win the support of the crossbench or the Greens, we will win the support of other members of this chamber.