Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks, indeed, Mr Speaker. I'm comparing the Capacity Investment Scheme under this government, which replaced the underwriting new generation scheme of the previous government, and I've indicated that the Capacity Investment Scheme is commercial in confidence. The Underwriting New Generation Investment scheme, masterminded by the member for Hume—when he was asked 'what are the costs?', the member for Hume said, 'Well, look, these discussions are commercial in confidence.' So it is not unprecedented for government policies and expenditure to be commercial in confidence. Indeed, my shadow minister, the member for Wannon, was responsible for various policies including Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty LTD supporting shipbuilding infrastructure. When you look at the budget to find out how much that cost, it says, 'The expenditure for this measure is not for publication due to commercial in confidence provisions.'

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