Legislation for the Future of Financial Advice will not be debated the week of 13-16 February 2012 as erroneously claimed by Senator Cormann.



“Experienced Members of the House of Representatives know programs that far in advance should not be taken as gospel” Minister Shorten said.

Long-standing practice has been for the second or forward week of the draft forward program to list bills available to the House with the actual debate program adjusted week by week. Therefore the second week shows what is on the horizon but shouldn’t be interpreted as final listing of what will be debated that week.

For example, in the Winter 2011 draft forward program, week 2 listed the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill which , which was debated later.

“Senator Cormann’s bungle shows the Coalition won’t let the facts get in the way of a scare campaign.” Minister Shorten said

Mr Shorten’s Media Contacts: Tom Cameron 0429 094 910