Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move the following motion:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent notices Nos 1 and 2 private members' business, relating to the disallowance of the following, being called on immediately and considered together, with separate questions being put on each at the conclusion of the debate:

(1) the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (Income Support Bonus) Repeal Determination 2014 made under subsections 258(4) and (5) of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, and

(2) the Veterans' Children Education Scheme (Income Support Bonus) Repeal Instrument 2014 made under subsections 117(2) and (3) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent notices Nos 1 and 2 private members' business, relating to the disallowance of the following, being called on immediately and considered together, with separate questions being put on each at the conclusion of the debate:

(1) the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (Income Support Bonus) Repeal Determination 2014 made under subsections 258(4) and (5) of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, and

(2) the Veterans' Children Education Scheme (Income Support Bonus) Repeal Instrument 2014 made under subsections 117(2) and (3) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

The proposal of the government to target cuts to the orphans of veterans is a terrible mistake, and this is an arrogant government which can never admit that it is ever wrong. I understand that deep down there would be many members of the government who probably think: 'My goodness! Why are we doing this to a group of 1,200 orphans?'

The Prime Minister used an expression earlier today about 'the figures which reverberate around the House'. Well, let me talk about some figures which reverberate around this House: $211 going to 1,239 orphans or children whose parents have either been severely incapacitated or died in the service of this country. That is the number that matters to this side of the House: $211 going to 1,239 people, kids, which would cost the government $260,000. And the number which reverberates around that side of the House shows that they are a government of the wrong priorities. They would say, and they would have you believe, that somehow there is more integrity in providing millionaires with $75,000 each extra, which they have not asked for, rather than giving the children of veterans $211.

The reasons that we seek that this be disallowed are (1) the decision is just not worth the pain you are inflicting on people and (2) it is a shifty decision. It is a decision which, despite too much protestation of the Prime Minister, who could not be bothered staying in the parliament to defend his attack on veterans' orphans—too busy, no doubt, looking for more gold plated schemes for people who do not need the money—is a shifty measure. The third thing is—

Ms Henderson interjecting—

Oh, there is the member for Corangamite. She has not fought for the job of any worker at Alcoa or Blue Circle; now she has plenty of advice to give. You just wait till the next election. The third reason why this is a bad decision is that it is poor priorities.

Ms Henderson interjecting—

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