Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Hansard source

I am afraid we are back to the old Latham view of the world: the old class war. We are pitting groups against other groups. Senator, I have been in this chamber a little bit longer than you, and I have long heard the concerns of self-funded retirees and the feeling that they have not in the past, certainly under a Labor government, been adequately recognised in the tax system. We make no apology for paying particular attention to the self-funded retirees. Obviously, I will look at the figures you have raised, Senator, and if I want to make any particular comment on that, I will. But this government is a government for the whole community, and it is one which over the 10 years of our government has paid particular attention to lifting the real rate of pensions in this community.

You will be aware from the budget last night, Senator, that there is a carer bonus. You will be aware of that. You will be aware of the changes which were made in relation to assets tests. There is a range of measures which will be welcomed, I believe, by the pensioner community. Equally, I think the measures in the budget will certainly be welcomed by self-funded retirees. I think there will be a lot of self-funded retirees listening to question time—I know this is being broadcast; maybe it is even being shown on TV—and they will note the Labor Party attack on those people who have saved for their retirement. That is what they will note, Senator.