Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you. Because I do not want to delay the Senate too long and I have a few questions for the minister at the end of it, I briefly indicate that I think the arguments have now been well rehearsed. Senator Brown is, as is the wont of the Greens, willing to talk about the expenditure, but there was no mention of the debt and how that is going to be serviced. From the coalition point of view, it has been the debt component and the size of the debt component that has been concerning. Senator Brown used the term ‘socially just’. How is it socially just for us to maintain our lifestyle today at the expense of tomorrow’s generations, who will be required to pay back this debt at $9,500 per man, woman and child—plus interest? That has been our point throughout this debate; I will not canvass it any further, other than to say that that has been our concern. In relation to all these projects, I understand—and also got the indication from Senator Brown—that there will not be any amendments to this package of legislation as a result of those measures that Senator Brown has read out. Is that correct? The minister is nodding his head.