Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Of course, there is not a measly dollar. I refer to a letter I have had today from a Tasmanian pensioner saying, ‘We have to look at the groceries, not buy them,’ and: ‘No meat, I can’t afford that. No entertainment, that’s out all together.’ The letter goes on: ‘Operation on eyes—$2680. Because I couldn’t afford medical benefits I had to save for months.’ It concludes, ‘This is what you call a starvation diet.’ I ask the minister again how he can justify the tax cuts for the wealthy, including $116 for the Prime Minister and Treasurer, but not one measly dollar in income to the pensioners?