Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Gilmore for her question. This year's budget, once again, provides a clear plan for a stronger economy, because we understand that you need a stronger economy to guarantee the essential services that all Australians rely on, and that includes older Australians—Australians going into their senior years.

Our plan for a stronger economy means that we've got a clear plan to give Australians more choices for a longer life. That's what this budget delivers—more choices for a longer life. That means we're protecting the choices of Australians as they age and we're protecting their dignity as well. Last week I was pleased to join the member for Gilmore in Nowra, as I was the member for Petrie up in North Lakes, where we talked to senior Australians about our new package, our new plan for more choices for a longer life. We went through what those choices were. There is the $10,000 Restart wage subsidy to ensure that, as they age, Australians, if they want to get back into the workforce, have the same sort of subsidy to support them doing so as there is for a younger Australian. We are extending the Pension Loans Scheme, not just to where it was before with part-pensioners, but so that all pensioners, all self-funded retirees, all older Australians of pension age will be in a position to access that program, which for a couple can mean $17,000 in extra income each year. We are increasing the pension Work Bonus, which means that older Australians can earn $1,300 extra a year, and it doesn't touch their pension. Even better, if you're self-employed as an older Australian you can earn $7,800, and it doesn't touch any of your entitlements in relation to the pension. Twenty thousand aged-care places for in-home care—14,000 announced in the budget; 6,000 announced last December. Ensuring that Australians who want to choose to remain in their home, live with their families and enjoy all of the things that they have in their later years can be delivered as well. There is $82½ million for mental health support for Australians living in residential aged care; $146 million for residential aged care in rural and regional areas to ensure that those needs are being met.

So we're a government that's delivering for older Australians to give them more choices and to protect their dignity. The Leader of the Opposition wants to put his grubby hand into their pocket and rip out their tax refunds. It was the one single issue that came up time and again, whether it was in Nowra or North Lakes or elsewhere in the country. They have a clear message for the Leader of the Opposition: 'Get your hands out of our pockets.' It's the single biggest tax measure over the budget and forward estimates. The big bucket of cash he wants to use to spray around the country to buy votes around the country is being paid for by self-funded retirees, by retirees, by pensioners, by small business owners. He's got his hand so deep in their trousers that they are wincing at the prospect of a Labor government. (Time expired)

Ms Madeleine King interjecting—

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