Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Chair, and congratulations on your elevation to that august position. The government does not support this amendment. We have a clear commitment and mandate to scrap the carbon tax—not to modify or rebadge it. This amendment is in fact a carbon copy of an amendment that was proposed by the member for Port Adelaide, Mr Butler, in the House of Representatives, and it was rejected there. The opposition's amendments mean that we would not be abolishing the carbon tax, but rather rebadging and modifying it. We have made it very clear that we are committed to repealing the carbon tax in full. It is in the best interests of families, pensioners and businesses across Australia, because it will bring down the cost of electricity; it will bring down the cost of living; it will bring down the cost of doing business in Australia; and it will help us to build a stronger and more prosperous economy and create more jobs.