Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. No matter what the Prime Minister says this week, 280,000 Commonwealth seniors health card holders will each lose more than $800 a year because of the Prime Minister's billion-dollar cut to the seniors supplement, which is found on page 193 of the document that dare not speak its name. Why should Australian seniors have to pay for the Prime Minister's dishonesty?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is true that some very tough decisions were made in this budget. It is tough that some tough decisions were made in this budget and it is true that some of those decisions impact on seniors. That is absolutely true, and I wish that members opposite had not run up the debt and deficit disaster that made these decisions necessary. I really do.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I really do wish that members opposite had been more capable of running the economy.

Mr Husic interjecting—

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

The member for Chifley is warned.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I really wish that members opposite actually kept their promises to deliver a budget surplus, but they never did. They put our country into a perilous economic position, and it was up to this government to take the necessary action to rectify the situation.

Opposition members interjecting —

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

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The opposition has asked its question; the least you can do is listen to the answer. There are people listening to this broadcast and people in the gallery who wish to hear the answer. There is a general warning issued, and people will give due courtesy to people when they are speaking. The Prime Minister has the call.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The seniors of this country have seen enough of life to understand that governments, like families and businesses, just cannot keep living beyond their means, and that what this government was doing under members opposite. We were running up debt and deficit for our children and grandchildren to pay because members opposite were incapable of saying no.

Mr Burke interjecting —

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

The member for Watson will remember there is a general warning.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members opposite were incapable of governing for a day, let alone a week, month or year without taxing and spending, without borrowing and spending. Members opposite were absolutely addicted to spending, and that is why under members opposite the Commonwealth's debt levels were projected to rise to $25,000 per man, woman and child. The seniors of this country are commonsense people. They understand that the last thing government should be doing is delivering cash splashes with borrowed money. It should not have happened under members opposite and certainly will not be happening under this government.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

I remind you of the general warning.