Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate) (14:02): I don't know if you answered my first question. But on radio this morning, less than 24 hours after he delivered his budget, the Treasurer caved in to pressure from Labor and backflipped, saying that Australians on Newstart would now receive an energy payment. Can the minister confirm that this change was agreed in a crisis meeting between the Prime Minister, the Treasurer and finance minister last night? When was the minister first advised of the change—before or after the budget speech?
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