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Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card)

Current status

This bill became law on Oct 28th, 2022.

Policy area

Welfare & housing

What does this bill do?

More older Australians can get the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. because the single income limit rises to $90,000 a year.

Why was it introduced?

The Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limits were too low, leaving some older Australians and separated couples without access to cheaper medicines and other health concessions. This bill raises the limits to $90,000 for singles and $144,000 for couples, applies the higher single limit to some separated couples, and makes those changes operate from commencementThe date or dates when the new law starts to operate; for this bill, Schedule 1 commenced on 4 November 2022, seven days after Royal Assent on 28 October 2022. of Schedule 1 on 4 November 2022, seven days after Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of law. on 28 October 2022.

Broader context

The Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. already existed, but its income limits were low enough that some self-funded retirees and some couples living apart because of illness, respite care or imprisonment missed out on cheaper medicines and other concessions as living costs climbed. After both major parties backed higher thresholds during the 2022 election campaign, the Albanese government introduced this bill to lift the limits; Parliament later passed amended text that made Schedule 1 commence on 4 November 2022, seven days after Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of law. on 28 October 2022.

Key criticism

The main criticism was not of the policy itself but of its timing and limited reach: opponents said the government delayed relief for seniors and that the bill only made a modest change without tackling wider income support problems. Those concerns came mainly from Coalition speakers attacking the later start date and from the Greens arguing broader poverty measures were still needed, while no party represented in the debate opposed the bill overall.

Who supported it?

Hon Amanda Rishworth MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.

Introduced in House 27 July 2022
Passed House 04 Aug 2022
Passed Senate 28 Sept 2022
Became law 28 Oct 2022

Did it become law?

Yes

Became law 28 Oct 2022

Final passage

Passed without a counted vote

5 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.

Passage speed

93 days

From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step

Official record

View on APH

Parliament of Australia bill page

Meaning

What does this bill do?

  1. More older Australians can get the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. because the single income limit rises to $90,000 a year.

  2. Couples can keep or qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. on higher incomes because the couple limit rises to $72,000 each, or $144,000 combined.

  3. People living apart because of illness or respite care, or whose partner is in jail, get the higher $90,000 single-person limit instead of the old lower cap.

  4. The higher income limits will keep rising with inflation from 20 September each year, with the next yearly increase worked out from the new $90,000 and $72,000 figures in 2023.

  5. The higher limits apply when deciding if someone qualifies for a Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. from the start of these amendments, not just for new claims lodged later.

Show source excerpts
  1. Increasing the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income test limits will allow more individuals access to relevant pharmaceutical and medical benefits. This Schedule increases the income test limit for a single person, a member of illness separated couple, a member of respite care couple, and a member of a partnered (partner in gaol) couple from $50,000 to $90,000. It also increases the income test limit for each member of a couple from $40,000 to $72,000, meaning a new income test limit of $144,000 combined.
    Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) explanatory memorandum
  2. Item 2 amends table item 2, column 3 of point 1071-12 to omit “$40,000” and substitute “$72,000”. This reflects the increase to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income test limit for persons who are members of a couple to $72,000 per person (or $144,000 combined) per year.
    Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) explanatory memorandum
  3. Omit “$50,000”, substitute “$90,000”.
    Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) as-passed bill text
  4. (5BB) For the purposes of working out the indexed amount for the seniors health card income limit on 20 September 2023, the current figure for the seniors health card income limit immediately before that day is taken to be:
    Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) as-passed bill text
  5. (1) The amendments of the Social Security Act 1991 made by this Schedule apply in relation to working out whether a person qualifies for a seniors health card on a day occurring on or after the day this item commences.
    Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) as-passed bill text

Context

Broader context for this bill

The Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. already existed, but its income limits were low enough that some self-funded retirees and some couples living apart because of illness, respite care or imprisonment missed out on cheaper medicines and other concessions as living costs climbed. After both major parties backed higher thresholds during the 2022 election campaign, the Albanese government introduced this bill to lift the limits; Parliament later passed amended text that made Schedule 1 commence on 4 November 2022, seven days after Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of law. on 28 October 2022.

  1. 02 May 2022

    Coalition promises higher Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limits

    During the election campaign, the Coalition announced it would lift the singles threshold to $90,000 and the couple threshold to $144,000, putting a large eligibility increase on the national agenda.

    Hansard ↗
  2. 27 July 2022

    Government introduces bill to ease seniors' cost-of-living pressure

    The Albanese government introduced the bill and said it would deliver its election commitment by expanding access to the card for seniors facing rising day-to-day costs.

    Hansard ↗
  3. 20 Sept 2022

    Original intended start date passes before final passage

    The bill had originally been intended to apply from this date, but the as-passed text instead applied the higher thresholds from commencementThe date or dates when the new law starts to operate; for this bill, Schedule 1 commenced on 4 November 2022, seven days after Royal Assent on 28 October 2022. of Schedule 1 on 4 November 2022, seven days after Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of law..

    Hansard ↗
  4. 26 Oct 2022

    Parliament passes the bill

    Both houses agreed on the final text after dealing with Senate amendments, clearing the way for the expanded card access to become law.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  5. 28 Oct 2022

    Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of law. makes the changes law

    Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of law. completed the process and locked in the higher income caps and related rule changes for eligible seniors and some separated couples.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗

Legislative route

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 27 July 2022

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 27 July 2022

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Community Affairs review 28 July 2022

Referred to Committee (28/07/2022): Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (24/08/2022)

Referred to committee

APH bill page notes
Second reading debate 04 Aug 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

House second reading agreed 04 Aug 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

House third reading agreed 04 Aug 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber. Later message exchanges with the other chamber were still recorded afterwards.

Third reading agreed to

Introduced 05 Sept 2022

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 05 Sept 2022

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 28 Sept 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate second reading agreed 28 Sept 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Senate agreed to amendment packages 28 Sept 2022

The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.

Committee of the Whole debate

Senate third reading agreed 28 Sept 2022

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber. Later message exchanges with the other chamber were still recorded afterwards.

Third reading agreed to

Message from Senate reported 25 Oct 2022

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

House agreed to Senate amendments 26 Oct 2022

The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.

Consideration of Senate message

Senate did not insist on amendments 26 Oct 2022

The Senate dealt with the House response to amendments so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.

Consideration of House of Reps message

Passed both houses 26 Oct 2022

Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.

Finally passed both Houses

Assent 28 Oct 2022

The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of law., turning the bill into an Act.

Key criticism

The main case against this bill

The main criticism was not of the policy itself but of its timing and limited reach: opponents said the government delayed relief for seniors and that the bill only made a modest change without tackling wider income support problems. Those concerns came mainly from Coalition speakers attacking the later start date and from the Greens arguing broader poverty measures were still needed, while no party represented in the debate opposed the bill overall.

Criticism was narrow and mostly about start dates and scope, not the goal of expanding the card.

Relief delayed by start date

Coalition speakers argued the bill should have started earlier, saying older Australians missed out on support because the government delayed the increase rather than implementing it sooner.

Raised by Coalition MPs and senators including Michael Sukkar, Aaron Violi, James Stevens and Dean Smith Source ↗

Too narrow to address broader hardship

The Greens said the bill would help but was only a small step, and did not deal with the wider problem of inadequate income support for older people and others still living in poverty.

Raised by The Australian Greens, through Senator Janet Rice Source ↗

Further sources

parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗

Votes

Recorded votes

How the bill itself passed

The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.

Passed

House passed the bill

House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

04 Aug 2022

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Passed

Senate passed the bill

Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

28 Sept 2022

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Amendments at a glance

Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.

House

Carried

Reject Senate pension changes

Aye 74 No 67

Passed 74 to 67. Support came from Labor. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

26 Oct 2022

This was part of the House's handling of the Senate message before the bill was finally settled between the two chambers.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 64 / 0
Unknown 10 / 29
Liberal Party 0 / 18
Nationals 0 / 12
Independent 0 / 6
Greens 0 / 1
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Carried

House accepted all Senate amendments

The House agreed to the amendments made by the Senate, so the bill could pass both chambers in the same form.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Senate

Carried

Senate keeps pension card changes

Aye 31 No 24

Passed 31 to 24. Support came from Labor and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Jacqui Lambie Network, and One Nation. One cross-floor vote was recorded: Penny Allman-Payne (Greens) voted no. Greens had split recorded votes. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

26 Oct 2022

The proposed change was agreed.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 15 / 0
Greens 12 / 1
Liberal Party 0 / 11
Unknown 3 / 5
Nationals 0 / 5
Independent 1 / 0
Jacqui Lambie Network 0 / 1
One Nation 0 / 1
Carried

Force immediate vote

Aye 35 No 14

Passed 35 to 14. Support came from Liberal Party, Greens, Nationals, UAP, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

28 Sept 2022

This was a gag motion, not a policy decision on the bill itself.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Liberal Party 13 / 0
Labor 0 / 12
Greens 10 / 0
Unknown 5 / 2
Nationals 5 / 0
Independent 1 / 0
UAP 1 / 0
Carried

Adjust start of pension changes

Aye 35 No 14

Passed 35 to 14. Support came from Liberal Party, Greens, Nationals, UAP, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

28 Sept 2022

This was one of the committee-stage amendment votes that changed when parts of the bill would take effect.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Liberal Party 13 / 0
Labor 0 / 12
Greens 10 / 0
Unknown 5 / 2
Nationals 5 / 0
Independent 1 / 0
UAP 1 / 0
Carried

Extend pension card after partner loses entitlement

Aye 32 No 15

Passed 32 to 15. Support came from Liberal Party, Greens, Nationals, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

28 Sept 2022

This added a new card entitlement rule to the bill's committee-stage amendments.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 13
Liberal Party 12 / 0
Greens 10 / 0
Unknown 5 / 2
Nationals 4 / 0
Independent 1 / 0
Carried

Senate accepts government timing fixes

The APHThe parliamentary record source mentioned in the amendment outcomes as APH. progress record says 7 Government amendments were agreed without a counted division being collected by this run.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Carried

Senate accepts Smith pension amendments

The APHThe parliamentary record source mentioned in the amendment outcomes as APH. progress record says 10 Opposition amendments were agreed without a counted division being collected by this run.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Defeated

Government [sheet UD142] defeated

Due to the suspension of parliament following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the bill to implement this commitment could not be passed in time for the increase to be implemented on 20 September 2022 as intended.

Defeated on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Carried

Stagger commencementThe date or dates when the new law starts to operate; for this bill, Schedule 1 commenced on 4 November 2022, seven days after Royal Assent on 28 October 2022. and sunset work bonus

The Senate agreed on voices to changes that staggered the start dates for several parts of the bill, set a later start for the work bonus rules, and added expiry settings for those changes.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

Carried

Stagger commencementThe date or dates when the new law starts to operate; for this bill, Schedule 1 commenced on 4 November 2022, seven days after Royal Assent on 28 October 2022. and sunset work bonus

The Senate agreed on voices to the same package of changes, which adjusted when different parts of the bill would begin and provided for expiry of the added provisions.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

This list includes amendment votes, procedural votes and votes on the bill itself.

The parliamentary record also shows 7 Government amendments and 10 Opposition amendments agreed without a counted division.

Parliamentary debate

Who spoke, and what they said

Start here — lead voices

Sponsor speech Supports

Amanda Rishworth

Australian Labor Party • MP 27 July 2022

Rishworth supports the bill and says it will deliver on an election commitment by lifting the Commonwealth seniors health cardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limits so more self-funded retirees can get help with health and living costs.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead supporting voice Supports

Dean Smith

Liberal Party • Senator 28 Sept 2022

Dean Smith says the opposition will support the bill because it carries a former coalition measure to lift the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limits, but he criticises Labor for delaying the start date and rebranding the policy.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead non-major voice Supports

Rebekha Sharkie

Centre Alliance • MP 04 Aug 2022

Sharkie supports the bill because it will help older Australians and self-funded retirees cope with cost-of-living pressures by expanding access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. and related concessions.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Supports

Peter Khalil

Australian Labor Party • MP 04 Aug 2022

Peter Khalil supports the bill, saying it will lift the income limits for the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. and ease cost-of-living pressure for more self-funded retirees.

Read in Hansard ↗

All speeches by bloc

Labor

7 speakers · 8 contributions · 7 support

  1. Peter Khalil ★ Peter Khalil supports the bill, saying it will lift the income limits for the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. and ease cost-of-living pressure for more self-funded retirees.
    “Over the first sitting fortnight of parliament, the Albanese Labor government has taken real action on issues that affect everyday Australians, and this particular bill will lift income limits for the Commonwealth seniors health card, seeing more self-funded retirees become eligible. The action of this bill would ease the increase in cost-of-living pressures that so many senior Australian face. It is something I am committed to in my electorate of Wills, and I know all my colleagues are on this side. In particular, this will ease the cost of concessional medicines and medical services, the importance of which we are all conscious of anyway, but even more so during the pandemic which we've experienced. This will mean an increase in the income limit to $90,000 for singles, up from $57,761, and $144,000 combined for couples, up from $92,416. This will expand access for more than 44,000 people from September this year, increasing to more than 52,000 people in the year 2026-2027. I commend the Minister for Social Services for introducing the legislation in the first sitting fortnight, showing that the Albanese Labor government understands the real cost-of-living pressures of Australians.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Aug 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Amanda Rishworth ★ 2 contributions Rishworth supports the bill and says it will deliver on an election commitment by lifting the Commonwealth seniors health cardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limits so more self-funded retirees can get help with health and living costs.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Amanda Rishworth on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Minister's second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 27 July 2022

    Rishworth supports the bill and says it will deliver on an election commitment by lifting the Commonwealth seniors health cardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limits so more self-funded retirees can get help with health and living costs. She argues the change will ease cost-of-living pressures and expand access to PBSThe Commonwealth program that subsidises prescription medicines, making them cheaper for cardholders and other eligible people. and MedicareAustralia's public health system; on this page it is the source of some cardholder concessions and benefits. concessions.

    “This bill is another bill that delivers on the election commitment of the Albanese government to increase the income limits for the Commonwealth seniors health card. This measure will take effect from 20 September 2022 and will ensure that more Australians qualify for the Commonwealth seniors health card, easing some of the cost-of-living pressures that so many seniors are currently facing.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Aug 2022

    Rishworth supports the bill and says it should pass quickly because it would expand access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. for self-funded retirees. She describes the intended 20 September start date, notes concerns about timing because legislation was needed, and commends the bill to the House.

    “H (—) (): I appreciate all the comments made by all sides of the chamber on this important bill. It is a timely bill and it is an important bill because it expands the number of Commonwealth seniors card recipients, who will be able to access the card from 20 September 2022. There are some concerns around the start date, and I want to put on the record that this measure requires legislation. That is why this side of the House and I have moved as quickly as we can in the first parliamentary sitting so that we can provide this relief to self-funded retirees as quickly as possible. On that note, and to get this through in a timely manner, I commend the bill to the House.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
  3. Justine Elliot Justine Elliot supports the bill and says it will give older Australians and self-funded retirees practical cost-of-living relief by lifting the income limits for the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts..
    “This bill is a very welcome cost-of-living relief for our older Australians. I know in my electorate and throughout the country this has been an issue that many have raised for so many years. The Albanese Labor government is delivering on our commitment. This will make a big difference to many seniors. We're committed to restoring affordable and accessible health care for all Australians.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Aug 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Katy Gallagher Gallagher supports the bill, saying it delivers the Albanese Government’s election commitment to lift the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limits and ease cost-of-living pressures for more self-funded retirees.
    “This Bill delivers on an election commitment of the Albanese Government to increase the income limits for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC). Taking effect from 20 September 2022, this will ensure more Australians qualify for the CSHC, easing some of the cost-of-living pressures people are facing.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 05 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. Don Farrell Farrell supports the bill, saying it will lift the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limits so more self-funded retirees can get help with cost-of-living pressures.
    “The Albanese government is committed, as we know, to easing cost-of-living pressures. This bill is a practical example that will support older Australians.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 28 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  6. Brian Mitchell Brian Mitchell supports the bill and says it delivers a promised increase in Commonwealth seniors health cardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limits to help older Australians with cost-of-living pressures.
    “We're very pleased to have brought this forward to the parliament. We are very pleased that we are in government and able to get this done. It wasn't done by the previous government. It is being done by the Albanese Labor government. We are going to be helping 44,000 older Australians. They will become eligible for the benefits of the Commonwealth seniors health card. We're very pleased to get this done. I commend the bill to the House.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Aug 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  7. Brendan O'Connor Brendan O'Connor says Labor supports the bill and wants it passed because it will help seniors cope with cost-of-living pressures by lifting the Commonwealth seniors health cardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limit.
    “I rise to support this very important legislation. As the shadow minister indicated, it has the support of the opposition, and it's a realisation of a commitment that the Albanese Labor government made in relation to providing support for seniors in this country. Clearly, it's a very significant matter. As we know, there have been sufficient efforts to provide support for people. Cost-of-living pressures are such that we need to do what we can to alleviate those pressures. We have inherited probably one of the largest public debts any government in this country has inherited. It is now well over $1 trillion of debt—debt that was accumulated by the previous government, and most of which was accumulated prior to the pandemic. Whilst, of course, we supported measures by the previous government in responding to the pandemic, to support the economy, to support business and workers and the like, unfortunately I think in some part they failed. There was expenditure on rorts and other things that need to be cleaned up by this government. We want to make sure that seniors in this country are given support, and that's why we're looking to ensure that this legislation is passed. This will lift the income limit for the Commonwealth seniors health card. I disagree of course with the minister.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Aug 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Coalition

5 speakers · 5 support

  1. Dean Smith ★ Dean Smith says the opposition will support the bill because it carries a former coalition measure to lift the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limits, but he criticises Labor for delaying the start date and rebranding the policy.
    “It won't come as a surprise to people, but the opposition will be supporting the substantive elements of the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Lifting the Income Limit for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) Bill 2022 because this bill actually gives effect to coalition initiatives when the coalition was in government previously.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 28 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Michael Sukkar Sukkar says the coalition will support the bill because it is good policy that expands access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. for older Australians.
    “Nevertheless, we will support the bill, because, even though it's later than they promised in the middle of the campaign, our view is: better late than never. And we'll never, obviously, say no to good coalition policy being adopted by the government.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 04 Aug 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. James Stevens James Stevens supports the bill, saying it will lift income thresholds and extend Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. eligibility to more self-funded retirees who deserve help with medical and pharmaceutical costs.
    “It's disappointing that Labor have broken their promise to introduce this by 1 July. I'm sure that is particularly due to the ridiculous delay in the parliament sitting. I apologise to all of the self-funded retirees who have missed out on a fair access to this card from 1 July, but I'm hopeful that this bill will rapidly move through the House and the Senate, and that we can adopt it and give the entitlement to all. I commend the bill to the House.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 04 Aug 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Aaron Violi Aaron Violi supports the bill because it lifts the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. income limits and extends help to more older Australians.
    “We will of course be supporting this bill, as I said, because this was a coalition initiative, although it's disappointing to note that Labor have decided to push the start date out to 20 September.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 04 Aug 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. David Gillespie Gillespie supports the bill because it lifts the income limits for the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. and will help more seniors on fixed incomes, including many in his electorate.
    “Raising the threshold from $57,761 to $90,000 for singles and from $92,416 to $144,000 for couples is really quite a significant change that will benefit up to 44,000 new Australians who will be able to access the card. This is such a good idea that it was actually our policy in the last election, and I'm open to supporting anything that is sensible and reasonable that comes from the other side. We've also called for many other things for pensioners that are not related to this bill, but I support this bill, and I hope that the members of my electorate enjoy its rapid appearance through the due process once it gets up to the Senate.”

    National Party • MP • 04 Aug 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Greens

1 speaker · 1 support

  1. Janet Rice Rice says the Greens will support the bill because it will help older people cope with rising living costs and access better health benefits.
    “So, yes, we will support this bill because it's going to make life easier for people who are struggling with the cost of living. We acknowledge that; that's why we're supporting it. But there are so many people who aren't going to have their poverty addressed by this bill. We have an appalling gap in the rate of payments between what people are struggling on and what they need to survive. People are being forced to rely on income support payments that are way below the poverty line. We will support this bill. It's a good step forward. We need to be increasing our rate of support payments but we need to be doing more. We call upon this government, and we will keep calling upon this government, to raise the rate of income support across the board.”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 28 Sept 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Minor parties and independents

1 speaker · 1 support

  1. Rebekha Sharkie ★ Sharkie supports the bill because it will help older Australians and self-funded retirees cope with cost-of-living pressures by expanding access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health CardA federal concession card for older people who do not get a pension payment, giving access to cheaper medicines and some health cost discounts. and related concessions.
    “To come back to this bill, this bill goes a long way to assisting our older Australians, and therefore I commend this bill to the House.”

    Centre Alliance • MP • 04 Aug 2022

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

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