In the News
Mr HAWKE (Mitchell) (12.34 pm)—I rise to speak on the Social Security and Veterans’ Entitlements Amendment (Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) Bill 2009. The government is continually reminding us that people are being stripped of their entitlements, that they are unable to claim their redundancy entitlements and that they are suffering because of the global financial downturn, so it is extraordinary that we have before us today a piece of legislation which will effectively cut the entitlement of 22,000 people to a concession card that provides them with significant benefits which allow them to continue to fund their own retirements.
Mr HAWKE (Mitchell) (12.34 pm)—I rise to speak on the Social Security and Veterans’ Entitlements Amendment (Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) Bill 2009. The government is continually reminding us that people are being stripped of their entitlements, that they are unable to claim their redundancy entitlements and that they are suffering because of the global financial downturn, so it is extraordinary that we have before us today a piece of legislation which will effectively cut the entitlement of 22,000 people to a concession card that provides them with significant benefits which allow them to continue to fund their own retirements.
Mr HAWKE (Mitchell) (11.11 am)—It is a privilege to rise today to oppose this bill. Let us be clear here today about what this government is seeking the parliament’s permission to do.
The government is asking the parliament to validate a tariff—a new tax, an excise, whatever you want to call it—when we know clearly that the intentions of this measure have been a total and utter failure. We know that this is a complete policy failure. We have had member after member on the government benches tell us today that this is all about the health of the Australian community, that these bills are somehow tied integrally to the health of Australians, to the consumption levels of alcohol and to health outcomes that the government is seeking to change or alter. But what is really going on is that this government is seeking to increase the excise, the tax, collected on one category of alcohol—ready-to-drink beverages.
Mr HAWKE (Mitchell) (11.11 am)—It is a privilege to rise today to oppose this bill. Let us be clear here today about what this government is seeking the parliament’s permission to do.
The government is asking the parliament to validate a tariff—a new tax, an excise, whatever you want to call it—when we know clearly that the intentions of this measure have been a total and utter failure. We know that this is a complete policy failure. We have had member after member on the government benches tell us today that this is all about the health of the Australian community, that these bills are somehow tied integrally to the health of Australians, to the consumption levels of alcohol and to health outcomes that the government is seeking to change or alter. But what is really going on is that this government is seeking to increase the excise, the tax, collected on one category of alcohol—ready-to-drink beverages.
VICTORIAN BUSH FIRE APPEAL 2009
My thoughts this week are with the people of Victoria as they come to grips with the devastation of the weekend's bush fire disaster, the full extent of which is not yet fully known.
I am sure that you would have seen the terrible images of destruction over the past days and I urge all members of our community to do what they can to help those who have been devastated by these fires.
The Red Cross has issued a call for blood donations to assist burns victims as well as establishing the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal 2009.
Donations can be made by phoning 1800 811 700 or by visiting: www.redcross.org.au
For further information please refer to the State Government of Victoria Website.
I thank the many men and women involved in the fire fighting effort and those people providing invaluable support services in the region.