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

After 12 years of the Liberal Party ruling this country this government got in and helped pensioners with a record increase in support. In addition to that, this government through the household assistance package is providing single pensioners with $388 extra a year and couples with $510 a year in increased payments. On top of the record increase we provided, these payments will assist pensioners because we know the increases in their bills mean that they need this assistance. This assistance will be put directly into their bank accounts. It is about making sure that those pensioners do not have a reduction in their standing of living and that they get continued assistance to help them meet the rising costs of living they are facing. This is a government focused on continuing to assist those pensioners.