John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You may proceed.

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I take this opportunity, as well as complimenting him on his answer, to wish the Minister for Ageing a happy 40th birthday. I wish to correct an answer I gave to the Leader of the Opposition. I asserted that we provided a $500 payment to every retired person in the Australian community. That was not correct. The bonus was delivered to each person who qualified for utilities allowance or seniors concession allowance. That is not every retired person; although, it is a very high percentage—indeed, over 2 million.