Alan Griffin (Bruce, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Let's unpack it. Over a number of years the Howard government, through ministers like Nick Minchin, made it very clear that they were not prepared to change indexation around a number of different payments, particularly in relation to military superannuation and veterans' disability pensions. This issue occurred over quite a period of time. In the lead-up to the 2007 election the Labor opposition committed to changing indexation for veterans' disability pensions and this was actually undertaken in the shadow of the election by the Howard government. I note that they made the change in around September 2007. It was one of the last acts of the Howard government. Now here, just after they have been elected, at the first available opportunity they have announced that they are changing that indexation system back. That is the first point.

At that election the Labor Party committed to having a review post the election, which is known colloquially as the Matthews review. That was a review into Commonwealth superannuation indexation methodology. You might also remember, Minister, that around the same time there was the Harmer review into social security payments and into, if you like, safety net payments within the social security system and with respect to veterans. In that review it was made very clear that changes were made to raise payments and to adjust further the indexation methodology beyond MTAWE and putting in place PBLCI—

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 18:24 to 18:32

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