Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Rudd government fully understands how tough pensioners are doing it. It is something that numerous ministers have talked about. That is exactly why in the last budget the Rudd government delivered around $900 in relief to pensioners. That is equivalent to an increase of six per cent in the pension. In the budget we boosted spending on seniors from $1.3 billion to $5.2 billion because we recognised the former government’s neglect of pensioners over the last decade. Pensioners will also receive an increase of around three per cent to their pensions—that is about $15 a week—on 20 September. But we also recognise that more has to be done. We are not into knee-jerk, bandaid remedies. We are talking about a change across the board. That is why the Henry review is looking carefully at the adequacy of retirement incomes and also at the pension.

Brendan Nelson is obviously under a great deal of leadership pressure at the moment. One minute it is Peter Costello and the next minute it is Malcolm Turnbull. In his rush to buy himself some breathing space, Mr Nelson has forgotten about the 2.2 million married pensioners, carers, widows, veterans and disability recipients. Do the Liberals think carers are doing it any less tough than single pensioners? Do the Liberals think widows are doing it any less tough than single pensioners? Do the Liberals think those on disability pensions are doing it any less tough than age pensioners? It is quite interesting, when you go through and talk to some of the lobby groups in those industries, to hear their opinions on what Brendan Nelson has put forward.