Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Can I say in response that we fundamentally disagree with Senator Siewert’s analysis. We just do not think the analysis is right. It is a change in the indexation arrangements. The rates are not frozen. They maintain in real terms over the years. I understand the forgone future increase in 2009-10 will be about 35c a week in family tax benefit A maximum rates for each child 12 and under but effectively it will be increased in future years and will maintain its value in real terms. It will be based on the CPI rather than MTAWE, but it is not true to say that it will be frozen. It will continue to be indexed and will continue to increase and maintain its value in real terms over coming years.