QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (14:32): We understand that this will not be a welcome change for many people, but we also understand that the investments that we propose to secure the future of the aged-care system are important. The government has made difficult choices to ensure that we can make the investments that Australians expect, and our investments will build on the changes that we delivered in our first term that incentivise the construction of beds for aged-care residents.

They will give providers the certainty that they need to build and maintain quality residential accommodation. They will make Support at Home fairer and more affordable for older Australians, and they will continue the government's work to set the aged-care system up for generations to come. People aged 65 and over currently do receive greater government subsidised discounts on their premiums than younger people on the same income.

This has become a hard policy to defend. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston, second supplementary?