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

I was just making, as a preliminary point, the very obvious point that the opposition has nothing to say on the important economic issues confronting this country other than slogans and abuse. What we do know is that, on the second day after the budget at question time, when the government is supposed to be under pressure to be held to account, they have no questions.

The government is pursuing the implementation of a price on carbon, as we have committed ourselves to. This government is working through a multi-party climate change committee and consulting with industry, unions and the community about the form of that new price on carbon. That work is ongoing. When that work is finalised, that work will be completed, it will be put to the parliament and any budgetary impacts will be included in future budgets—just as has been the case in the past, when the Howard government introduced the GST. Once those decisions are taken, once legislation is carried, provision will be made in the budgets, as per normal practice.