Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Senator Colbeck. Minister, the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics selected living costs index was released last week. By how much has the cost of living gone up for aged pensioners in Australia over the last calendar year?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for the question. I don't have a brief with me on the CPI increase for senior Australians; I'm sorry, I can't give that. I will commit to come back to you at the end of question time with the data.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Sheldon, a supplementary question?

Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If the December quarter for 2021 is 3.4 per cent, do these latest statistics show that the highest annual increase to the cost of living is being inflicted on aged pensioners? Or have you conveniently forgotten to bring your homework today?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government has continued to support senior Australians through a number of measures over the course of recent times, including through specific and special payments, to support them through the COVID-19 pandemic. We've put a number of measures in place to support individuals who might be isolated in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. I reject any assertion at all that we have left any part of the community behind. We have worked as a government throughout the entire period of the pandemic to ensure that there are additional resources available for people to help them meet the cost of living. We have put supplements in place in respect of the pension—

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Keneally, on a point of order?

Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Direct relevance. The question was fairly tightly worded and specific as to whether or not there were the highest annual increases to the cost of living being inflicted on aged pensioners. The minister hasn't addressed that aspect of the question.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will allow you to bring the minister back to the question. However, the question did involve some commentary in the asking of the question, which, quite frankly, means the question is not worded quite as narrowly as you say. I have allowed you to bring the minister back to the question. Minister, you have the call for 15 seconds.

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The process that the government supports, and I'm presuming that the opposition supports, is to continue to support the increase in pensions on a regular cycle. I don't accept the premise that the government has left pensioners behind. (Time expired)

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Sheldon, a second supplementary question?

Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

With the cost of living for aged pensioners going up for food, housing and transport, what is the minister doing in his role as minister for senior Australians to ensure they can get by?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I was just indicating, there is a regular cycle of pension increases which takes into account the impacts of the CPI as a part of the pension increase process. And, as I said earlier, during COVID we've put additional payments in place to support senior Australians and pensioners to help them through the COVID pandemic. So I acknowledge the comments that Senator Sheldon is making in relation to the recent CPI increases, but those things are taken into account in the regular CPI increases that are undertaken for the pension. The pension rates increased on 20 September by $14.80 for singles and $22.40 for couples combined, and new maximum fortnightly rates, including pension supplement and energy supplements, are $967.50 for singles and $1,458.60 for couples.