Christian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

That is very good! The family tax benefit system has been growing very substantially. The government of the members opposite made $7 billion worth of savings by pausing indexation on FTB part A and FTB part B. They made $6 billion worth of savings by removing the indexation of FTB rates to pensions. They made $2.5 billion worth of savings by not proceeding with the additional increase to FTB part A payments. So let's not pretend that members opposite have not also looked to make expenditure restraint savings from the FTB system. That was $7 billion plus $6 billion plus $2.5 billion.

We also, like members opposite, have recognised the need to make savings inside the system. We have recognised that need. There are two ways in which we are making savings inside the system. You may want to describe the first way as a snake, as I did, because I think it is a fair description. There are savings. We are phasing down and removing an antiquated supplement system through FTB savings. That supplement system was designed to pay debts which are now no longer the problem they used to be. We are phasing that down and removing it and we will put the savings back into FTB A so that families will receive $10 more a fortnight. That is a ladder. When families receive more money—

Ms Macklin interjecting—

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