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Howard Has No Mandate To Cut PensionsPrime Minister John Howard's broken election promises - cutting disability and pensioner benefitsfrom a press release by Wayne Swan - Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services Media Statement - 18 June 2002In Question Time today John Howard claimed he has a mandate for his Budget proposal to cut the pensions of 200,000 Disability Support Pensioners. He may have a personal crusade to cut a gaping hole in the social safety net but he has no mandate. Just 17 days before last year's federal election the Prime Minister gave the Australian people an unequivocal assurance he would not cut anyone's pensions. On 25 October 2001 he said: "I know the welfare sector is particularly anxious about the effect of welfare reform on the most vulnerable in our community. In response to that very natural concern, I want to re-state the assurances I have previously given - nobody's benefit will be cut as a result of changes to the social security system". Also prior to the election the Government gave similar assurances in a glossy brochure titled, 'What people with disabilities need to know.' The brochure, said: "Over the next few years the Commonwealth Government will improve arrangements for people with disabilities - these changes won't affect your payment rates". The same brochure assures people with disabilities: "The rules you must meet to be eligible for Disability Support Pension - will not change". The fact is John Howard failed to tell the Australian people he would cut pensions if he was re-elected. To the contrary, he gave them explicit guarantees he wouldn't. "Honest John" doesn't have a leg to stand on. |
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