Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Brandis, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. I refer to the minister's statement yesterday:

It has always been the position of coalition governments to have an in-principle opposition to retrospectivity.

Does this principle apply under Prime Minister Turnbull and does it apply to negative gearing?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That has always been our disposition.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I refer to the minister's statement yesterday that, on negative gearing, the Prime Minister has made the coalition's position 'perfectly clear'. Is it perfectly clear that retrospective negative-gearing changes are on or off the table, or doesn't the minister know?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Gallagher, we are going to have a budget and we will be making certain announcements in relation to a range of measures. As you know, Senator Gallagher, since last year we have been having what is, in my view, by and large a constructive national conversation about tax reform.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the GST.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a constructive national conversation, an element of which—thank you, Senator Carr—was about changes to the GST, a topic that was introduced into the discussion by two state premiers: Mr Weatherill, the Labor Premier of South Australia; and Mr Baird, the Liberal Premier of New South Wales. As a result of a very long and thorough discussion about the GST, which involved more constructive contributions on the part of the Australian Labor Party than we have heard from you in this parliament, we have decided to make certain decisions in relation— (Time expired)

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I refer to Senator Back, who says he does not support changes to negative gearing and seeks 'further information and enlightenment sooner rather than later'. When will the Prime Minister come clean and tell his own backbench and the parliament what his tax plan is?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am surprised to hear, Senator Gallagher, that Senator Back feels the need for enlightenment, because I find Senator Back to be one of the most enlightened people I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with in this parliament. Senator Back, who, as all of his colleagues know, is both a gentleman and a scholar, needs no enlightenment about anything because he is such an enlightened gentleman.

Now, in relation to the question of negative gearing, what we know, Senator Gallagher, is that under a policy announced by your leader, Mr Bill Shorten, the value of people's homes—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pause the clock.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I raise a point of order in relation to direct relevance. There was only one question: when will the Prime Minister come clean and tell his own backbench and the parliament about his tax plans?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Wong. I remind the minister of the question.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order—I am sorry; I cannot address the point of order. Mr President, you have ruled on the point of order.

Senator Wong interjecting—

Senator Gallagher—through you, Mr President—

Senator Wong interjecting—

If you wouldn't mind ceasing interjecting, Senator Wong, please.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, on my left!

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is one thing we know about the negative-gearing debate. What we know about the negative-gearing debate is that, if the Labor Party were to implement its policy, the value of most Australians' homes would collapse. (Time expired)