Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Leader of the House and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) (10:40): I close the debate relating to the Abolition of Age Limit on Payment of the Superannuation Guarantee Charge Bill 2011 and thank all those who have made a contribution to it. I particularly welcome the comments of the last speaker, the member for Denison, who outlined quite rightly that it is in the public interest for these issues to be resolved and for the parliament to serve its full term. I take some contention with the comments of the member for Lyne. This is not an issue of a dispute between the houses. The way we deal with bills that might come from the Senate to this House was a previous issue. This bill originated in this House. This is a bill that, according to the member for Mackellar's own statements, repeated a number of times during her contribution to this debate, has an impact on government revenues. The member for Mackellar outlined repeatedly that a number of employees of ministers—that is, public servants—would be impacted by this legislation. Mrs Bronwyn Bishop: Every time they employ another 3,000 they have to pay. Mr ALBANESE: The member for Mackellar has herself outlined why this is a money bill. Money bills are specifically ruled out without an appropriation being recommended by a message from the Governor-General under section 56 of the Constitution and the procedure is reflected in standing order 180. This has applied regardless of who the government of the day is. Indeed, this is a procedure that protects the executive and protects the government in its ability to apply a budget. If this protection is not there, then there is no way that appropriate decisions that are fiscally responsible can be made because appropriations could be sought in isolation from the overall budget. This protection is needed if we are to have responsible economic policy in this nation. I say with respect to all the members who have contributed to this debate that we have resolved our position. Our position is that we support the Constitution of Australia. Our position is that the Constitution of Australia was written with a great deal of foresight and common sense. Common sense suggests that they actually got it right. So it is very clear that it is possible for the House to pass motions expressing a view about what should happen, but it is not possible to pass legislation that has an impact on the budget. That is absolutely critical to the stability that the member for Denison, the member for Lyne and others spoke about as being so necessary. We have had attempts that were not tried during the last parliament, attempts to bowl up legislation that might, in isolation, be viewed by some members as having merit. There are a range of things I would like to see revenues spent on, but I understand that, at the end of the day, you have expenditures and you have revenues and they relate to each other. And we have a commitment to return to surplus by 2012-13. So the position is very clear, I think. The government, in moving this resolution for the suspension of standing orders, gave full and proper notice. I know my office certainly advised the Manager of Opposition Business and the shadow minister, who is indeed here with full knowledge of what time this debate would take place today. So what has occurred is in accordance with the normal selection procedures. Mrs Bronwyn Bishop interjecting— Mr ALBANESE: Are you saying the Manager of Opposition Business was not notified? Mr Pyne: I wasn't notified until this morning. Mr ALBANESE: This morning. That is what I said. Mr Pyne: You said last night. It is not in the blue. Mr ALBANESE: The position was clear. It was discussed at the Selection Committee again last night. Mrs Bronwyn Bishop: We were told last night it wasn't coming on. Mr ALBANESE: By whom? That is not true. Mrs Bronwyn Bishop: It is not in the Notice Paper. Mr ALBANESE: I identified it and we rang and gave notice this morning to the Manager of Opposition Business following very clear established process. The government supports the suspension. The government does not, however, support this bill being able to proceed. I understand, Mr Speaker, that you wish to consider the matter, but I respectfully submit, in support of the Attorney-General's submission on this matter, that these are indeed critical issues for the appropriate operation of the budget. I commend the resolution to the House. Question agreed to.