Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

It is true there is an upfront cost to this plan. It is true also that, once it is up and running, the scheme is broadly budget neutral and is consistent with the government's fiscal strategy and fiscal reporting frameworks. The government does not intend—as was the case under Mr Costello—to release information beyond the forward estimates for policies, for the same reasons, I am sure, that Mr Sinodinos could explain to Senator Birmingham, should he desire.

Obviously, there will be a midyear budget update, which will update figures in the usual way, and then the budget next year in which a further year will be added to the forward estimates.