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

The Australian people trust governments that front up and explain the decisions they're taking. Where we did change our position on stage 3—which I should say is actually your policy now, Senator Smith, as you voted to support it—you front up and explain what has led to this change and why the circumstances have meant that you have decided on this change, and you be upfront about it. Certainly, in all of the discussions we have, whether with stakeholders or with constituents across our communities, that is the approach the government has taken.

I can tell you: when we are looking at our budget and putting together our budget, we're repairing the damage that we inherited. We're paying down debt. We've delivered the first surplus in 15 years. We're making room for important investments—investments that were overlooked for a decade, including on the energy transition and the concept that it even needs to happen that you opposite are still struggling with. We're doing all of those things.