Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bilyk for the question and her interest in this issue. I am proud as a member of the Labor government to inform the Senate that this week the government delivered the fourth increase to pensions since we have been in government.

Following the government's historic pension reforms age pensioners, disability pensioners, carers and veterans income support recipients have received increases to better reflect the actual costs for pensioner households. From this week single pensioners are receiving almost $20 extra a fortnight. Pensioner couples on the maximum rate, combined, will receive almost $30 a fortnight to help them meet increased household costs. Since coming to office this government has delivered pension increases of about $148 per fortnight to the maximum pension for singles and $146 per fortnight for couples, combined. It is something the Labor government is extremely proud of. All up, 3.4 million pensioners across Australia will receive an increase in their payments.

This government recognises the enormous contribution pensioners have made and continue to make to our nation. That is why it took a Labor government to act and a Labor government to ensure these increases went through. The government's reforms have delivered not only pension increases but also a new pension supplement, a pension work bonus and a new indexation system. These reforms to the pension have been absolutely critical for Australian pensioners, who for years were neglected by those opposite, who ignored the fact that pension increases were not keeping pace with the cost of living. We as a Labor government understand that. We understood it at the time, and when we came to office we acted. Since Labor came to office pensioners are now $148 per fortnight better off— (Time expired)