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

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Conroy. I refer to a statement by the Secretary of the Treasury, Martin Parkinson, in estimates on 14 February, where he said in relation to revenue from the minerals resource rent tax:

What we have not done is adjust the estimates for things that we cannot see … What we cannot see is the starting cost base that the firms are able to pick, nor can we see the netback arrangements …

Why did the government agree to a tax which its own officials now admit contained serious design flaws?