Mr ABBOTT (2:33 PM) —My question is again to the Prime Minister. If he will not guarantee that carers lump sum payments will be paid in the coming budget, will he alternatively guarantee that carers payments will be increased by an equivalent amount of $31 a week fully indexed?

Mr RUDD (Prime Minister) —I guarantee that carers will not be one dollar worse off as a consequence of the budget. Furthermore, it is time that we looked at the challenges of carers and pensioners long term, rather than a series of one-off payments made year after year after year by those opposite—and incorporated in so many of their statements leading up to the last election. We the government, by contrast, are examining ways in which we can place payments to carers and pensioners onto a more secure, long-term footing. But I repeat what I said before: carers do a fantastic job across the nation and, when it comes to this upcoming budget, they will not be one dollar worse off. In contrast to those who have preceded us, we are examining ways in which we can place payments to carers on a more secure, long-term footing.