Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

It is clear to me that Senator Abetz cannot take it because he cannot defend their position. This is economic vandalism by the coalition. Vandalism is described as ‘wilful, wanton and malicious destruction’, and that is what occurred today—wilful, wanton and malicious destruction of the government’s budget. They hide behind process. They try and say, ‘Oh, it’s all about us having a look at these bills.’ Let us examine what it means. What it means is that if they do not pass these bills until September, it will cost in the order of $284 million. It will cost taxpayers $284 million. So the deferral for them to have a look, at their leisure, is going to cost almost $300 million of taxpayers’ money. That is interesting because, when we raised this with them yesterday, they said, ‘We’re not necessarily opposing these measures.’ They have not got the courage of their convictions. They are not sure they are opposing the luxury car tax, although I do not know why they would. They are not sure they are opposing the condensate. They are just going to waste $300 million of taxpayers’ money because they cannot make up their mind, because they do not have the political courage to come to a conclusion.

This decision by the coalition rips $300 million or thereabouts off Australian taxpayers. It is going to cost every man, woman and child in this country about $13 each. That is $13 each that the government will not have to spend on schools and hospitals because the coalition will not front up to their responsibilities. This is wilful, wanton and malicious destruction. If they said they were going to defeat them, then they could defeat them now. But no; they are going to defer, they are going to hide behind process and, as a result, they are going to cost the Australian taxpayer dearly. (Time expired)