QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Ms SHARKIE (Mayo) (14:54): My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Three million older Australians with private health insurance, including over 400,000 age pensioners, feel betrayed by the government for ending the rebate that will see premiums soar by up to $1,600 for a couple. Many older Mayo residents have emailed me and said that they can't cut anything else from their budget—they're left with the choice of cutting food or health insurance.

Why is the government treating older Australians so badly? What happened to leaving no-one left behind?