House debates

Tuesday, 11 March 2008

Questions without Notice

Pensions and Benefits

2:21 pm

Photo of Tony AbbottTony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Families, Community Services, Indigenous Affairs and the Voluntary Sector) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister give a guarantee to over two million seniors that the annual lump sum payment will be delivered in the coming budget? I further ask: does the Prime Minister really understand the uncertainty and the anxiety he is causing to older Australians by refusing to guarantee this bonus payment?

Photo of Kevin RuddKevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

In response to the honourable member’s question, I can guarantee that pensioners, when it comes to their one-off bonuses, will be no worse off under this budget.