Andrew Southcott (Boothby, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Will the minister explain how the pension will continue to rise every six months?

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Boothby for his question and recognise his strong and constant representation of the people in the southern suburbs of Adelaide since 1996. Part of that strong and constant representation has been for the pensioners in the electorate of Boothby. Can I inform both the member for Boothby and the members of the House that the pension will continue to rise twice a year under the Abbott government. Indeed, just three months ago, in March, the pension increased by $15.70 a fortnight for single pensioners and by $11.90 a fortnight for each member of a pensioner couple. And indeed, in three months hence, in September, the pensions will continue to go up again.

Nick Champion (Wakefield, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What about 2017?

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I hear an interjection from another member from Adelaide—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Wakefield has been warned, I would remind him.

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

saying, 'What about 2017?' Well, I can inform him that in 2017 the pension will increase twice. Why don't you ask me another question? Come on in! Ask me another question!

Honourable members interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is too much noise on my left and right.

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pensioners are better off under this government because their pensions will continue to increase. Not only that—

Honourable members interjecting—

Madam Speaker, I can't even hear myself!

Mr Champion interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can't hear the answer. The rabble noise will cease. The minister has the call and the answer will be listened to. I remind the member for Wakefield: one more utterance and he will leave the chamber.

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Not only that; this government will maintain the energy supplement, which pays up to $361 per annum for single pensioners—

Mr Watts interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Gellibrand is warned!

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and $546 per annum for pensioner couples. We will in fact keep the pensioner supplement, which currently is up to $1,635.40 for singles and $2,464.80 for pensioner couples—and that, too, will increase in September this year.

If the Labor Party were not just feigning indignation, as they are in this chamber, then they could do something to help pensioners in Australia. What they could do is get out of the way and allow the repeal of the carbon tax, which would mean $550 on average to households in Australia. What nonsense is coming from the Labor Party.