Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. Is the minister aware of reports that the Assistant Treasurer has been contacting selected businesses to brief them about aspects of tonight's budget which relate to potentially market sensitive information?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I certainly would not say to Senator Sinodinos that he does not know anything about economics—he does, and I trust that he might explain—

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's very nice of you, Penny!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, he does. I am very happy to have a discussion with him about nominal GDP and the effect on revenues after he has read the budget papers. I assume he will be in the lock-up. I understand that this question has been asked and answered in the other place. I understand that Mr Bradbury has made the point that it is appropriate for government to regularly engage in consultation with stakeholders, and I cannot provide any further information on what the Assistant Treasurer has done because obviously that is a matter for him. I can say to the Senate that this is a government that does value consultation processes. I understand, and obviously I do not have Hansard in front of me, that a similar suggestion was put in the other place and the Assistant Treasurer has clearly refuted the suggestion.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. What assurances can the minister give that this did not confer an undue advantage on those businesses that were contacted?

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister can answer that question insomuch as she can.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to my previous answer: if there are any further details I can subsequently obtain for the senator, I will do so.

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. My understanding is that the Assistant Treasurer refused to rule out the suggestion that that was the case. Is this a new protocol under the government in terms of consultation on market sensitive matters, virtually within days of the budget?

Honourable members interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Senator Faulkner interjecting—

Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—

Order! When there is silence at the back of the chamber—if you wish to have a discussion, you can go outside.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am almost loath to answer that because the conversation at the other end of the chamber is so entertaining. But my suggestion to Senator Sinodinos is that he be very cautious about making unfounded accusations. I am certainly happy to get further details from the Assistant Treasurer. The government is very well aware of both the legal provisions and the conventions in relation to market sensitive information. The government is also aware of the importance of continuing to engage with stakeholders in the development and finalisation, or the consideration, of policy.