Cory Bernardi (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Community Services) Share this | Hansard source

Just briefly, Senator Stephens can dress up this argument however she would like but the simple facts are these: the government are stripping away entitlements from seniors against the backdrop of a very uncharitable budget for elderly Australians and the backdrop where rising prices for fuel and groceries, amongst many other things, are causing great difficulties for those on fixed incomes. They are stripping away those entitlements. With regard to partner service pensions, we are talking about 930 partners of veterans—930 people who are being disadvantaged by a mean-spirited, undisclosed change which was not pre-empted and of which they were not forewarned before the election. Quite simply, how can anyone trust the government to look after the interests of Australian seniors or Australian veterans?

On the issue of Australian veterans, we have to make the point that these people receive special entitlements because of the special service that they have given our country. The Labor Party, under their legislation, just want to lump them in with other welfare recipients. I say: that is not good enough. Let us think about the people who are caring for veterans who are struggling in our society. The only firm figures we have received reveal that 930 people and their dependants and those they care for are going to be affected by this. The government are so intent on squeezing every last dollar out of the Australian public that they are prepared to put forward this sort of heartless legislation. It drives a stake through the very heart of those who have served our country so well, and their carers.