Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:00 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, how much worse off will seniors be after the government axes the seniors supplement?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Seniors are much better off thanks to this government abolishing the carbon tax. We have abolished the carbon tax but we have kept the carbon tax compensation, which means that seniors and households right around Australia are better off, on average, by $550 a year. It is worth pointing out to the Leader of the Opposition—
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order: relevance. I asked the Prime Minister a very straightforward question.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There is no point of order. The member will resume his seat.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
This government has abolished the carbon tax and that means that seniors, in common with every other Australian—
Ms Macklin interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There will be silence from the member for Jagajaga!
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
will be better off on average to the tune of $550 a year per household. We are doing the right thing by the people of Australia. If seniors are anxious they should be anxious about members opposite, because if the members opposite ever got back into government the first thing they would do is bring back the carbon tax—a $550-a-year hit on households.
Jenny Macklin Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Payments
They are anxious about you!
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
If the seniors of Australia want good government, they know who to stick with.