Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

The Labor Party and the member who was just speaking continue to argue mischievously that this government are going to cut pensions, that we are reducing pensions. Can I point out to the honourable member opposite that, in March this year—and as far as I recall we were in government in March of this year—the age pension increased by $15.70 for a single pensioner. How can an increase be a cut? This reminds me of Lewis Carol—this is Alice in Wonderland stuff coming from the honourable member opposite. In Labor language, a $15.70 increase for single pensioners is somehow a cut and an $11.90 increase for each on a couple pension is somehow a cut. Go out on the street and ask ordinary Australians, 'If we give you an extra $11.90, is that an increase or a decrease?' The reality is it is going to be an increase.

Honourable members interjecting—

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