When a policy view is not advice

It may seem like a fine line, but Mathias Cormann has felt the need to explain the difference between having a policy "view" and policy "advice" during an exchange with a Labor senator.

The finance minister says only governments can have a view or an opinion on policy, whereas his department, for example, can only offer advice.

Labor senator Katy Gallagher asked whether his department could offer a better way of implementing a certain policy.

Senator Cormann said Finance could provide alternative options for consideration by government.

"So that's not a policy view?" Senator Gallagher asked.

"No, the policy view is taken by the government," Senator Cormann replied.

Senator Gallagher hoped the explanation was understood by everyone else in the room.

"It's as clear as anything," she said.