QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator SCARR (Queensland) (14:32): Minister, I would like you to obtain further advice because it is concerning that the advice you're being given is not engaging with the fundamental point, that this arises out of a change to the tax arrangements on discretionary trusts. The majority of charitable giving is not made on a tax deductible basis. It's estimated that 70 per cent of donations fall outside that category.

So why did the government announce this tax change without first working out what it would mean for the charitable sector?