Margaret May (McPherson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Ageing. Minister, how is watching petrol and grocery prices going to help pensioners and carers meet their weekly bills?

Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for her question. Can I tell the House that Fuelwatch will indeed help many people throughout the community. It will help our seniors. As the Minister for Ageing I am very proud to be representing the seniors in this parliament. This government has done more for older Australians than those on the other side did for all of the 12 years they were in government. In the next four years, we will be putting $40 billion into aged care services. When it comes to older Australians, that side of the House see them as a problem; we see them as a great opportunity. The wisdom, the experience and the knowledge of older Australians are vital. What did the previous Minister for Ageing, the member for Sturt, have to say about older Australians? He said he did not particularly like them. This new federal government—

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I regard that as unparliamentary. I would ask for it to be withdrawn. I have never said any such thing; it suggests that I have a different view of older people than I do. I ask for it to be withdrawn.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the hubbub on both sides of the chamber, I might admit, at this stage, I did not hear the exact comment made by the minister. If it suits the convenience of the House, I would ask the minister to withdraw.

Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was in fact quoting the member for Sturt when he was the Minister for Ageing.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It would assist the House if the minister withdrew.

Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Certainly, I shall withdraw it. I want to conclude by saying that this new federal government is committed to providing services for older Australians. We will invest more in aged care than any previous government and we are very proud of that achievement.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Before calling the member for Werriwa, can I say to members on both sides of the chamber that it would assist if there was not as much interjection and chatter whilst people with the call are on their feet.