David Gillespie (Lyne, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise in support of the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) Bill 2022. Increasing access by raising the income threshold for eligibility to receive this card will be of great benefit to many of the seniors living in the beautiful Lyne electorate. I have advocated for many changes how senior Australians can contribute to the community in their retirement, but giving them some of the financial benefits that come with access to this will be a great bonus. In my electorate, I probably have the most age pensioners and seniors of any electorate in the country. I am battled by the member of Hinkler for that honour and the member of Cowper. We have over 30,000 seniors receiving financial assistance. If you're not on a pension but you are a senior and have a fixed income, this card will be a great benefit to you.

Raising the threshold from $57,761 to $90,000 for singles and from $92,416 to $144,000 for couples is really quite a significant change that will benefit up to 44,000 new Australians who will be able to access the card. This is such a good idea that it was actually our policy in the last election, and I'm open to supporting anything that is sensible and reasonable that comes from the other side. We've also called for many other things for pensioners that are not related to this bill, but I support this bill, and I hope that the members of my electorate enjoy its rapid appearance through the due process once it gets up to the Senate.

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