House debates

Monday, 2 June 2014

Questions without Notice

Veteran Support

2:05 pm

Photo of Bill ShortenBill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Before the last election the Prime Minister said that it was unfair to apply the CPI only to the pensions of those who had risked their lives for our country. He promised veterans that loyalty goes both ways. Now the Prime Minister is cutting the indexation arrangements for 140,000 veterans back to CPI. Why did the Prime Minister break his promise and where is his loyalty to our veterans?

Photo of Tony AbbottTony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

Again, Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition should not promote falsehoods in this House. We promised that the DFRDB and the DFRB pensions would be indexed by CPI or male total average weekly earnings, whichever is the greater.

Ms Macklin interjecting

Photo of Mrs Bronwyn BishopMrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The member for Jagajaga will desist.

Photo of Tony AbbottTony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

We have absolutely delivered on the policy commitments we took to the election.