Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

The Gillard Labor government continues to support older Australians in the workforce. We are building a stronger, smarter and fairer future for all Australians, including older Australians. As part of the historic pension reforms in 2009, the Gillard government introduced a seniors Work Bonus scheme to ensure older Australians kept more of their income when they worked. The reform means that a single age pensioner with no other income can currently earn up to $10,452 a year from employment while still receiving the maximum rate of pension. Over the past 12 months around 147,000 age pensioners have been able to work while keeping more of their pension under the seniors Work Bonus. Since September 2009, the maximum rate of pension has increased by $207 a fortnight for singles and $236 a fortnight for couples combined. We are focused on delivering jobs and growth in our economy. (Time expired)