Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment) Share this | Hansard source

Let me make this point to begin with: the meta-position for this budget is framed by six consecutive deficits which had accrue to a total of $240 billion of funds that were spent over and above that which the Australian government received in revenue. Just to remind the House: $27 billion, $54 billion, $47 billion, $43 billion, $18 billion and $49 billion. That is the massive national task against which this budget is framed. So each and every portfolio has had to work to find greater efficiencies. This portfolio has been part of that process.

Mr Perrett interjecting—

However, I am absolutely delighted that all up in a very difficult and challenging budget environment so as future generations would not have to pay back the consumption of this generation, we have been able to secure $3.5 billion of new expenditure programs. There is $2.55 billion for the Emissions Reduction Fund. This is a fund which will actually reduce emissions. It is about doing things where you pay on achievement. It is not about the $30 billion of funds which were paid out by the previous government without in most cases any test whatsoever. I will remind of the member for Moreton that in fact there was $9.2 billion being paid to zinc, aluminium, cement, general manufacturing firms with no strings attached by their government. The second thing is, they were paying—

Mr Perrett interjecting—

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