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

Firstly, I do not accept Senator Polley's characterisation that I am somehow not sticking to my commitment. The government is absolutely stuck to the commitment that taxes will be as low as possible. Given the position adopted by the Senate to not support all of the savings that were reflected in our past budgets, we had to make some pragmatic and responsible decisions on the revenue side of the budget. We stand by that. That was not our first preference. That is not what we really wanted to do, but we had no choice.

In relation to the other part of the question, Senator Polley and the Labor Party might think this is all a game, but, you know what, on this side of the parliament, we actually care for our country. We care about making the right decisions for our country on the strongest possible foundations and projection of the future. This is serious business. Do not come in here with your juvenile political game. Do not come in here with your— (Time expired)