House debates Questions without Notice
Budget: Pensions
Jenny Macklin Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Payments
2:27 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister said before the election:
If it is inadequate to increase Centrelink pensions by just the consumer price index, it is even less fair to apply only that index to those who have risked their lives for our country. Loyalty goes both ways.
I also refer to page 203 of Budget Paper No. 2, which shows a cut of $65 million to veterans pensions. Why is the Prime Minister breaking his promise to veterans?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:28 pm
The shadow minister, in common with some of her colleagues, is attempting to demonstrate that there has been some breach of promise. There has been none. We made a commitment to DFRDB and DFRB pensioners. We made a commitment to those people in those particular military pensions who previously were indexed at only CPI that they would be indexed at CPI or MTAWE, whichever was the greater.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Point of order, Madam Speaker. The Prime Minister is referring to a different election commitment to the one that was specifically read out in the question.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There is no point of order. Resume your seat. The Prime Minister has completed his answer.