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

Unsurprisingly, I do not have the modelling from the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme to hand, so I am not going to agree with the assertions that are in there. What I would say in relation to any increase in electricity prices—and the government has said there will be an increase in electricity prices—is that the government is also putting forward a package of reforms to tax, family benefits and pensions, amongst other things, to ensure that working families receive appropriate assistance to manage the impact of a carbon price, including on electricity. That is assistance, I might say, Senator Joyce has signed up to reversing.

In relation to regional Australia I would invite the senator to look at the last budget, where we put out regionally specific information about the spending that the government is putting in place, particularly in relation to hospitals, as well as education and infrastructure. What you will see—it is an embarrassment to the National Party—is that this government is investing more into regional Australia than ever occurred under the coalition. That is even before we include the National Broadband Network, which is an investment in regional Australia.

What people will see in the months and years to come is that Senator Joyce prattled on a lot—talked a lot—about regional Australia but did not really deliver for them. People will see that he certainly never delivered for them in the way in which this government delivered for regional Australia. It is very embarrassing, I think, for the National Party; unsurprisingly, they had to put out the coal seam gas discussion thing—