Senator BOYCE (3:17 PM) —I also seek to take note of the answers from Senator Evans. It has been heartrending to hear all these comments about the government listening to the concerns of pensioners and others on fixed wages. We even had Minister Evans tell us that pensioners are doing it tough. In that, he is completely agreeing with the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Minister Macklin, who on Sunday wrote a newspaper column to tell the world the revolutionary piece of information that pensioners are doing it tough. So we have all this wonderful listening and empathising going on. What we do not have is any action.

I was somewhat concerned when Minister Macklin told the 4½ million Australians whose lives are affected by the pension system that we need to think about what the system will look like in 20 years. That would be wonderful—let us find out what the system will look like in 20 years—but what does that do for the pensioners and others on a fixed income who are struggling right now? As Senator Moore pointed out when we did the Senate inquiry into cost of living pressures on older Australians—whose report we actually brought down in March this year—we knew then that pensioners were doing it tough; it was very obvious that pensioners were doing it tough. Five months later, the minister announces to the no doubt breathless media that pensioners are doing it tough and says: ‘But just wait. We’re in the middle of a process. It’ll all be all right. The Harmer review will’—

Senator Birmingham interjecting—

Senator BOYCE —There will be a lot more listening and empathising going on, no doubt, Senator Birmingham, whilst this process happens. The Harmer review, sometime next year, will produce a result from a process. They have not actually said it will—

Senator Birmingham interjecting—

Senator BOYCE —No, actions and results are different; we are talking about a process, listening and empathising—great stuff, but it is not washing and it will not wash with the pensioners and others on fixed incomes in Australia. They are saying, ‘We hurt right now. You knew in March this year that we hurt and you have done nothing about it and are continuing to do nothing about it.’ The crocodile tears from Senator Evans do not help—the righteous indignation, as though something is actually happening because you get sad and upset and let the world know that, ‘Gee, it’s tough out there.’ What does that do for the pensioners? Nothing has changed.

In the past two weeks I have received over 700 letters from pensioners in Queensland explaining the difficulties that they face right now. There is no reason whatsoever why something cannot be done to help couple pensioners and, in particular, single pensioners as the rents go up, as fuel prices go up, as grocery prices go up, whether you are watching them or not. It is particularly the single pensioners who hurt more, because you cannot rent half a house, no matter how high rents go; you cannot make that economy in your lifestyle.

Senator Birmingham —They’re lucky they have a process, then!

Senator BOYCE —They are. Perhaps we should develop a process for renting half houses—do you think so, Senator Birmingham? You cannot drive half a car no matter how high petrol prices go. So there is an argument and action is needed right now to help the single pensioners who rely on 56 per cent of a couple pension rate. By all means let us look to the future but let us not just look to the future. Everywhere I go I hear pensioners saying: ‘When will the Prime Minister act? He talks and he listens; he’s a dud. All he does is listen. There is no action. Please help us now.’