Mr RUDDOCK (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs)(5.44 p.m.) —I move:

That the Senate's requested amendment be not made.

The government does not accept this request for an amendment, which, if it were acceded to, would have the effect of appropriating for the purposes of the Housing Assistance Bill 1996 an amount of $1,067,863,000 in each of the financial years 1997-98 and 1998-99. As I told the House when this matter was last before us, the bill demonstrates the government's commitment to a continuing partnership with the states for the provision of housing assistance.

I remind honourable members that, despite the fact that the government's Commission of Audit is yet to report, this bill provides for funding in relation to the 1996-97 financial year at a level that maintains current funding. The government believes that the level of funding outlined by the bill is entirely appro priate with the process of negotiating broader terms and the reforms of the Commonwealth-state housing agreement. The Commonwealth-state housing agreement is made for a period of up to three years. Any further decision about funding will be made in the context of the progress of the reforms.

As to the certainty issue, I advise the House that the Minister for Social Security (Senator Newman) last night informed the Senate that the government will be providing the states with a more detailed statement of the government's intention on longer term housing reforms in August, after which the states will have a better understanding of what the government proposes. This will include information on the transition of new arrangements and will assist the states and territories in planning housing programs beyond 1996-97.