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

My question is to the Prime Minister.

Mr Snowdon interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Lingiari will desist!

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

My question is still to the Prime Minister. It has been confirmed in the other chamber that his government is scrapping the aged-care dementia and severe behaviours supplement. Why is this Prime Minister now ripping away money from our most vulnerable senior Australians, those in residential care with dementia? Just how low can you go?

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will hear the Leader of the House.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Speaker, while the House has been focusing on so-called imputations, the last part of the Leader of the Opposition's question was rude and unnecessary, and he should withdraw.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the House makes a valid point. The Leader of the Opposition will withdraw the last part of his question.

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

Yes, I withdraw that. The question I asked—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And you will resume your seat, and the Prime Minister can have the call.

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

Surely I should rephrase it.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, it is not necessary. You have merely withdrawn the unacceptable part.

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

I accept that everyone knows what I meant.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will withdraw that remark as well.

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

Of course, Madam Speaker. I withdraw.

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is true that this particular supplement has been withdrawn. The problem with this particular supplement—

Mr Shorten interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You have asked a question, Leader of the Opposition. Desist!

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When it was introduced by the former government in the 2013 budget, it was estimated to cost $11.7 million. Because the former government was not very good at making these kinds of forecasts, it has ended up costing $110 million, so there has been a tenfold blow-out in expenditure. There has been a tenfold blow-out in expenditure under this supplement. The supplement has therefore been withdrawn, but the government are consulting with the sector to try to ensure that we can bring in a better way of dealing with this particular problem. I table the minister's press release.