Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

Probably that is not really my portfolio area, Senator, but I think I can assist. I think what you are referring to is the difference between how income is classed under our social security system and how income is classed and assessed under the taxation system. They are different definitions. For that reason, people can get a deduction of their income for net losses—for example, in the context of negative gearing—that they could not utilise in relation to their social security entitlements. That is a longstanding differentiation within the Australian tax and social security systems. I again say: how the Commonwealth delivers assistance for solar panels would not be classed as income. There are some circumstances where state policies might be classed as income, but a significant amount would need to be earned before a pensioner would have their pension affected. (Time expired)