Senator NEWMAN (Minister for Social Security and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women)(6.28 p.m.) —That was a rather extraordinary contribution. I have to ask Senator Neal: why did your party, when making your promise about 25 per cent of male total average weekly earnings, refer to pensions? Why did you not say `and allowees' if you were so minded. You cannot come in here and try and pin something on the government as if there is something extraordinary—

Senator Neal —I am asking you your position.

Senator NEWMAN —We have done what we promised, and you promised also to do this. You did not say that you were going to extend it to allowees and nor did we. But the CPI adjustments every six months will be maintained; there is no suggestion at all that that will change. Consequently, as in the past under your government, allowees' entitlements have kept pace with the cost of living. They also, when on two occasions you provided ad hoc rises in pensions, did get a flow through. That is what we propose to do. We are not changing the system for allowees; we are simply making for greater security for pensioners—just as you promised.

It is a bit harsh for you to come in here and suggest that we are somehow punishing people. We are doing just what we said we would do and what you were saying you would do too. If you have had a change of heart, you had better put on the record that if you ever get into government again you are going to make 25 per cent of male total average weekly earnings the benchmark for all social security payments. Are you prepared to do that?