House debates

Monday, 15 September 2008

Questions without Notice

Age Pension

2:24 pm

Photo of Warren TrussWarren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Local Government) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to revelations that for five months his government has been sitting on an 83-page report from Dr Ken Henry and the Department of the Treasury which outlines a range of options to ease the burden for pensioners. Given the Prime Minister already has comprehensive advice on helping pensioners, why does he need another committee to tell him what to do?

Photo of Kevin RuddKevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

Can I say to the honourable member who has just asked the question that the recommendation from the Senate inquiry last year on the cost-of-living pressures on seniors was supported by the government and by the opposition, and the recommendation from it was there should be a comprehensive review, which led to a reform of the pension system. That is what we are doing, supported by you, as a consequence of the same report.