Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Carol Brown for her supplementary question. As the Intergenerational report says, from 2010 Australia’s population is ageing. Between now and 2050 the number of people aged between 65 and 84 is expected to more than double, and the number aged 85 and over is expected to more than quadruple. Our ageing population will result in substantial fiscal pressures from rising health costs. From 2009-10 to 2049-50 real health spending on those aged over 65 is expected to increase around sevenfold. The choice for the Australian people on health will be between Mr Rudd—as a safe pair of hands—who wanted to plan for these challenges, and plan for the future— (Time expired)