Santo Santoro (Queensland, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

In response to the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, to be positive, I would like to table, for the information of senators, a certificate. I would also like to table a copy of the Still Inspiring calendar, which I will circulate to all members of the Senate and all members of the parliament.

As I mentioned, 7,500 certificates were sent out last week for this very purpose: to recognise and celebrate the achievements of older Australians. So, as with the examples I gave yesterday, this so-called idea from Labor is something else that the government is actually doing. Perhaps I have been a bit harsh on Senator McLucas and her famous paper in the last couple of days, but there might actually be a good idea in there. Let me explain: she proposes a single card to allow older people to access the entire range of government services. This will build, she says, on the seniors card, Medicare card and veterans gold card. ‘A single access card for all services,’ says Senator McLucas. I commend Senator McLucas for this very original idea, and I will urge my colleague Joe Hockey, the Minister for Human Services, to implement it as soon as possible!

I would respectfully say to Senator McLucas that what she needs to do is go out and become very well acquainted with what the government is actually doing in the Ministry for Ageing. Once you actually acquaint yourself, you will see—