Senator FAULKNER (Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (2:37 PM) — My question is directed to Senator Vanstone, the Minister for Family and Community Services. Is the minister aware that, as late as the April/May edition of its publication Age pension news, her department was running advertisements for Over 50s Insurance, an organisation underwritten by HIH Insurance? Will the Howard government consider compensating those pensioners who have decided to use this insurance product, with apparent official imprimatur through this Commonwealth publication?

Senator VANSTONE (Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women) —I often wonder about that hymn that goes `All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, God made them all.' I look at Senator Faulkner and think it cannot be true! But, yes, Senator, I am aware—

Opposition senators interjecting—

Senator VANSTONE —He is an exception to the rule.

Opposition senators interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —Order, Senator, I cannot hear. The Senate will come to order.

Senator VANSTONE —Madam President, I sponsor an Indian porcupine at my zoo. The reason I sponsor it every year is because no-one else loves it; somebody has to love it. So, Senator Faulkner, there is somebody out there for you somewhere. I am sure of that; no-one behind you, incidentally, but do not worry about that. The Age pension news did include paid advertising—not sponsorship by the government—relevant to older Australians.

Senator Jacinta Collins —Did the newsletter announce that?

The PRESIDENT —Order, Senator! You do not have the call.

Senator VANSTONE —The March-April edition of the Age pension news, which is a much relied on information source to pensioners, did include advertising for the Over 50s Insurance Agency, which was previously underwritten by HIH and which since 22 March this year has been underwritten by Allianz. When the HIH situation became known, immediate action was then taken by Centrelink. Call centres and customer service centres immediately were notified to ensure correct information for any customer inquiries. The March-April edition had already been printed and it was impossible to include an update. The Over 50s Insurance Agency confirms that business is now being underwritten by Allianz.

Senator FAULKNER —I have a supplementary question. Does the Age pension news contain any disclaimer about Commonwealth responsibility for any advertisements that appear in Age pension news? This is as a result of either Centrelink or the department.

Senator VANSTONE (Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women) —I am just advised by my colleague Senator Newman that they did in the past. I would not like to say whether this particular edition did or not, without checking. I will do that and advise Senator Faulkner.