The Gillard Labor Government is spending more time costing and considering Greens policies than first thought.
In a response to a question on notice from Shadow Minister for Small Business and Fair Competition Senator Scott Ryan, the Department of Finance and Deregulation confirmed it has costed 48 Greens policies, 39 of which have been considered by Cabinet and will not be released.
This is in addition to the 14 Greens policies Treasury has costed, which was revealed under a Freedom of Information request submitted in April last year by the Coalition’s spokesperson on scrutiny of government, Jamie Briggs.
“Treasury continues to hide much of this information, citing Cabinet confidentiality, and the additional 39 Greens policies Finance says it will not release raises serious concerns about what plans the Labor/Greens alliance has in store for the Australian people,” Mr Briggs said.
“We know from the carbon tax debate that under the Gillard Government, the Greens get what they want.
“It is about time Labor stopped protecting its coalition partner and started being upfront with the Australian people about what new Greens policies Cabinet is considering imposing on Australian people.”
Senator Ryan, who has been pursuing information on Greens policy costings through the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee for more than a year, added: “Labor is still hiding its close relationship with the Greens.
“It is even more obvious that Christine Milne and her team are pulling the strings now that we know Julia Gillard’s Cabinet has considered three-quarters of the Greens’ policies. For all we know, the Government could be considering slugging Australian families and business with even more taxes, just like the Greens want.”