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Thursday, 18 August 2011
Page: 4835

Senator SCULLION (Northern Territory—Deputy Leader of The Nationals) (13:00): Mr Acting Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Mark Bishop ): Leave is granted for two minutes.

Senator SCULLION: For the record, the minister has indicated that this is all part of a review. We know that the government is very focused on significant outcomes like declaring reviews, but by the government's own admission it would know that this review is focused on all of the mainstream programs. By its own admission, it has said there may be some implications. So, to stand in this place and say, 'This is a review; it's all part of the process,' and to bang on hopelessly about Work Choices reminds me of those people who desperately reach for the Work Choices lever. This is the panic button of politics. 'Some implications' is no excuse not to provide longer term funding and future planning for successful programs. That is what we need and that is not what the government has provided.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.