Labor tonight voted to heavily amend the Charter of Budget Honesty Bill to make it cumbersome and unworkable.
The amendments included a requirement that Treasury and Finance cost Opposition policies during the caretaker period even if those policies have not been announced to the public and are at a developmental stage. This would effectively allow the Opposition to use public service resources to help develop policies, contrary to the traditions of the Westminster system.
Labors effort tonight continues their long standing record of avoiding budget scrutiny and honesty.
Labors record on public scrutiny was demonstrated most starkly during the 1996 election when they maintained the budget was in surplus when in fact it was in deficit of $10 billion.
The Government remains committed to this legislation which would provide Australia with a world leading framework of budget disclosure.
The Bill will be resubmitted to the Senate.
The door must not be left even slightly open for the return of Labors policy of budget deceit.
CANBERRA
28 October, 1997
Contact:
Assistant Treasurers Office
Richard King (02) 6277 7360 or mobile 0419 683 586