Kirsten Livermore (Capricornia, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Minister for Disability Reform. How is the government supporting pensioners in Central Queensland to make ends meet? Are there any obstacles to this support?

Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Disability Reform) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Capricornia very much for the question. Like her, I believe, and we all believe on this side of the House, that after a lifetime of work pensioners do deserve some extra assistance to help them make ends meet. That is why this side of the House delivered the largest increase to pensioners in 100 years—more than $150 extra a fortnight that is now going into the pockets of pensioners because of the dedication of this side of the parliament to the needs of pensioners.

As pensioners now know, they are starting to receive additional funding into their bank accounts right now. Single pensioners are getting their clean energy advance, with $250 going into their bank accounts. Couple pensioners are receiving $380 combined. I can inform the House that, as of last night, more than—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The minister has the call.

Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Disability Reform) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As of last night, more than 627,000 payments had been made to pensioners, worth more than $135 million. That means that, for a maximum rate single pensioner, they are going to be $134 a year better off. For couples, they will be $201 a year better off as a result of the payments that this government is delivering.

For those pensioners up in Central Queensland, there are 18,600 pensioners around Rockhampton who are going to receive payments in this fortnight. We have seen in the Morning Bulletin a pensioner up there saying that it is going to be good for him. He is going to be able to afford some extras.

Mr Christensen interjecting—

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Dawson!

Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Disability Reform) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We saw a person from the member for Dawson's electorate—now that he is getting warned. A lady told the Daily Mercury that she will spend the extra money on household costs. What I would like to know from the—

George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And what did she say about the carbon tax?

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Dawson is now warned! The minister has the call and will be heard in silence.

Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Disability Reform) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What we would like to know is whether the member for Dawson has told his constituent or told the Daily Mercury whether or not he has been honest with them. Has he told them that he is going to claw back all of this money that this constituent has just received along with all the other people in Dawson? Eighteen thousand pensioners in Dawson are receiving that money. The member for Dawson is responsible for telling all of those pensioners that he is going to claw that money back from all of those pensioners in Dawson. (Time expired)

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Dawson is seeking to table something.

George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am seeking to table the Daily Mercury article that the minister refers to—

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member will resume his seat. Seeking the call is not a time to abuse the standing orders. Is leave granted to table the document?

Leave not granted.

Honourable members interjecting—

The member for Berowra has the call and his colleagues are denying him the opportunity to ask his question.