Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Let us have that challenge made practical. Senator Ludlam and I would very happily be briefed by the tax office if the minister will commit to accepting a regulation drawn up by the Greens, if he finds it too complicated in these circumstances to simply deal with the equity provision here. It is not much good us having a briefing after the government votes down this very worthy legislative measure, but Senator Ludlam’s amendment says that the government will provide regulations for means testing of the annual government contribution to be paid to a first home saver account. The question really is—it is not the tax office: is the government finding that too difficult or would the minister like the Greens, with the assistance of the tax office, to draw up such a regulation and maybe hold over this matter until we do that? I do not see any value in us being briefed, after the minister has voted it down, about a matter that no longer can be acted upon.