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

We in Australia are at the global leading edge when it comes tax administration, when it comes to making sure that we raise the revenue the government needs in the most efficient way possible. Let me just say that I find it very difficult to take Senator Milne's question seriously, because Senator Milne leads the party which tells us that it is now in favour of regular reductions in the tax on fuel. Senator Milne leads the party which is telling us that not only is it appropriate that the tax on fuel has fallen as a proportion of the average fuel price at the pump, from 42 per cent down to 25 per cent, she wants to see regular reductions every six months. She has backbenchers briefing the media saying, 'The coalition doesn't talk to us about how to get our support.' Senator Milne must have kept secret the fact that we had meetings where I put it to her that we could reach an understanding around good public policy to ensure there is regular indexation of fuel, so do not come in here and talk about that. (Time expired)