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Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Page: 1610

Senator ABETZ (Tasmania—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (18:29): In summing up this debate for the coalition I would remind Senators Feeney and McEwen that somebody once said:

I grow tired of saying this. Labor is committed to the 30 per cent health insurance rebate.

That quote was in my local newspaper, the Hobart Mercury, from a certain person. I will give those on the other side a hint: the person was also the person who promised undying loyalty to Mr Rudd. And just in case they cannot remember or cannot get the hint as to who it is—if they are scratching around in their heads—I will give them another hint. It was also the person who said, 'There will be no carbon tax under a government I lead.' In case they have not got it yet, that was the solemn promise of Ms Gillard on behalf of the Australian Labor Party.

This is another Labor broken promise. We as a coalition want to put this proposed measure to a Senate inquiry to give the Australian Labor Party the opportunity to explain how that which was such good policy before the election is all of a sudden bad policy after the election. They know they have the numbers—or, I should say, the Greens know they have the numbers, because they have a compliant ALP willing to ram this through the place without proper scrutiny. We will be dividing on this, because we believe the Senate should do its duty and explore this matter fully. (Time expired)

The PRESIDENT: The question is that the motion moved by Senator Fierravanti-Wells be agreed to.