Eric Hutchinson (Lyons, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

These are fine questions from the member for Shortland. If she intends to stay in the chamber, I will address those questions. As I mentioned, the reason that I chose to speak on this bill today is that the changes that are being made will benefit lower socioeconomic groups, particularly those in an electorate such as my electorate of Lyons.

As I was saying: who will benefit? The thresholds for people without concession cards are being reduced from $2,000 to $700 for singles, and $1,000 for families, and for concession card holders from $638.40 to $400. It is expected that more than 53,000 additional people will receive a safety net benefit under these arrangements. On the notion of fairness: I cannot quite grasp how that is unfair. For concession card holders, in particular, more than 80,000 more people will receive benefits than under the current arrangement. Member for Shortland, this is fair. This is good.

Ms Hall interjecting—

Ms King interjecting—

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