Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Last financial year, the taxpayers of this country provided almost $200 billion of support in social security and welfare payments in this country. Australia has one of the most effective and successful social safety nets, and that's something I think every member of this House should be very proud of. This year that figure will be significantly higher as a result of the significant additional supports which the government has provided to support Australians, including age pensioners and many other welfare recipients, through the course of this crisis. Indeed, there are the two additional $250 payments which are being made this year which followed the earlier $750 payments which were being made to pensioners, in particular, as well as other welfare recipients. Of that $200 billion—and that will be more this year and will continue to rise in the future—some $70 billion or more is provided through the age pension. This is an important social support in this country, and all Australians should receive the support through that system that the system is designed to provide to them.

Mr Wilkie interjecting—

I'm coming to your issue.

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