Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

I haven't seen Cassandra Goldie's comments, but, again, I will take that part of the question on notice and refer that matter to the Minister for Social Services. If he has any response to Dr Goldie's comments, I'm sure he will instruct me to provide them to the Senate.

Labor's election policy from 20 years ago, in 1998, when Labor was on a unity ticket with John Howard, reads:

Low income older people will be able to use their imputation credits even if they do not pay tax. This will mean that they can effectively 'cash out' the value of their imputation credits and increase their disposable incomes.

So I ask those opposite about that policy then. What was an act of compassion and fairness then, according to those opposite, is now a tax rort, a loophole and a scandal that has to be put to an end. They're the scandal, and the Australian public will not believe them. (Time expired)