I am disappointed that the opposition do not wish to have their spending cut proposals discussed in the parliament. The fact that there is nothing there to discuss might be a significant impediment to having such a debate.

The government is committed to returning the budget to surplus at the earliest opportunity. It has in place a specific set of criteria that will ensure that. In both the 2008 and the 2009 budgets very substantial savings initiatives were put in place, some of which are still to be approved by the Senate. So, if there is any credibility in the position and the posture being adopted by the opposition, they will pass the reductions in the private health insurance rebate that will save $9.5 billion over 10 years and help to return the budget to surplus.