Senator CORMANN (Western Australia—Minister for Finance) (14:39): I thank Senator Cameron for that question. Let me just say at the outset that the government stands by all of the claims that the Prime Minister and other ministers have made in relation to these matters. None of the claims were false whatsoever. Let me just make a broader point to the chamber. What was before the government was a request from a business owned by Coca-Cola Amatil, a business with a $9 billion market capitalisation and which made an after-tax profit of more than $200 million in the first six months of this financial year. It asked the Australian government to make a grant in support of a commercial investment, using taxpayers' money for that purpose. We had a company which had the cash to make its own investment decisions, which had the wherewithal to make the investment decisions it thought were necessary in pursuit of its commercial objectives, asking for money from the government which, as a result of the mismanagement of the previous Labor administration, actually does not have the cash. We have inherited a budget from the Labor Party which is in a complete mess. We have inherited $123 billion worth of cumulative deficits. Senator Wong interjecting— Senator Brandis: Mr President! Senator Wong should withdraw that unparliamentary remark. The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Wong, you will need to withdraw that. Senator Wong: I am simply reprising the member for Murray, Senator— The PRESIDENT: No, it was— Senator Wong: I withdraw. The PRESIDENT: And it would help if there were silence on both sides. Senator Cormann, continue. Senator CORMANN: Thank you very much, Mr President. The government did have all of the facts in front of it. In all of the circumstances before us, we decided that it was not appropriate to provide taxpayers' money in support of this commercial investment. It is not the job of the taxpayer to provide gifts to very profitable companies like Coca-Cola Amatil to help them achieve a higher return than they otherwise would. It is not the job of the Australian taxpayer. This government has put a clear line in the sand. The previous government spent money willy-nilly. They did not treat taxpayers' money with respect. This government does it differently. (Time expired)