Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for the question. I obviously understand how challenging it would be for that mother to raise her child. I do not know the particular circumstances that you have provided. Of course, she may well be receiving a single-parent pension and might be receiving carer payments. I am not sure if she is also receiving family tax benefits. I am not familiar with the circumstances. I would be happy to entertain them.

I do note that, if she is a single parent on a pension, it was the previous Labor government that removed 60,000 single mothers from the single-parent pension onto Newstart. In fact, I remember the Leader of the Opposition sidling to me over there and saying, 'Please help me to take 60,000 women off the single mothers pension to put them onto the lesser payment in Newstart.' How about that, Bill? Do you remember that?

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