QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator RUSTON (South Australia—Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (14:38): The minister keeps talking about fairness. We're talking about Australians who've paid private health insurance for decades. They did the right thing on the basis that they'd have a little extra help to keep their insurance in retirement.

Now, by the department's own figures, a 70-year-old on gold cover will need to find an extra $643 a year. Pensioners live on fixed incomes. They cannot ask for a pay rise.

They cannot pick up extra shifts. Minister, how is that fair?