Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I, Minister Andrews and Senator Fierravanti-Wells—the three portfolio office holders in social services—all have a deep and profound commitment to our multicultural community. But we also have a deep and profound commitment to be good stewards of the taxpayers dollar, and we make no apology for recognising that if we make prudent decisions now—if we work towards retiring debt and putting the budget back into balance—we will be in a much better position to support organisations such as the ones the senator has referred to into the future. We are planning for the long term. That is what we are doing, and we make no apology at all.

I conclude on the fact that the time between when an election is called and when the formal caretaker provisions take effect is intended to ensure that the essential business of government can continue—that key decisions to that end can be made. It is not to be used for political purposes.