Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

And we increased the pension; that is right. And who is the biggest threat to the Australian pensioners? Those people on the other side, because they have a track record. When we talk about reform of the aged-care sector, who is the biggest threat to the aged-care sector in this country? Those opposite. When you were last in government you had 11½ very long years, as far as older Australians were concerned, to do something about the aged-care sector, and you did nothing. No, sorry; I correct the record. You did do something. You had six ministers, and each one of them failed the Australian people. Each one of those six ministers failed older Australians, and the people will not forget that. Your track record in terms of reforming the aged-care sector and disabilities is on your head. When you were in government you had 11½ years and did nothing.

But this government has been creative. We are a forward-thinking, progressive government. You just have to compare that with those on the other side, who are only about negatives: no, no, no. That is the mantra of Tony Abbott: no, no, no; oppose, oppose, oppose. I refute this MPI because it is a disgrace for those opposite to even come into this chamber and suggest it.