Senator RUSTON (South Australia—Minister for Families and Social Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:00): I thank the senator for her question in relation to pensions. This government has a very proud record of looking after older Australians. In fact, I'm pleased to let the senator know that we actually are a government that can be trusted to look after older Australians. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator RUSTON: I have to say that it seems a little strange to come in here and listen to those on the other side of this chamber lecturing us about what we're doing for older Australians— Senator Keneally interjecting— Senator RUSTON: when they are the ones who were seeking to tax older Australians with a $57 billion retiree tax. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator RUSTON: I would also like to say that on 20 September, which I imagine is only a few days away—I'm not quite sure of the date today, but 20 September is not too far away—pensions— Senator Cormann: On a point of order: as is well understood by all in this chamber, or should be, interjections are disorderly, and there are a lot of interjections coming from the other side. I know they don't want to hear about pensioners having been targeted by Labor with their retiree tax, but that shouldn't be an opportunity to interject. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Cormann. You correctly draw the chamber's attention to the standing orders regarding interjections, so I ask senators to respect those standing orders. I call Senator Ruston to continue. Senator RUSTON: Thank you very much. I was just going to mention that from 20 September 2019 pensions will have increased by $125 a fortnight for singles and by $188 per fortnight for couples combined since the coalition came into government in 2013. Also, just so the Senate is aware, 20 September is going to be a great day for our pensioners— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Ruston. Senator Keneally, on a point of order? Senator Keneally: My point of order is on direct relevance. I've been incredibly generous in allowing the minister to have more than half the allocated time. She has not answered the question or gone near it. Since 2014, how many of the government's budgets have included cuts to the pension? It is just an answer—one, two, three, four, five or six? Senator Cormann: On the point of order: the senator was indeed asked about cuts to pensions, and what Senator Ruston is clearly pointing out is that there have been increases to pensions. Pensions increase twice every year, as Senator Keneally would know if she knew anything. Senator Wong: Can he withdraw that, please? The PRESIDENT: Which particular comment? Senator Wong: The reflection on Senator Keneally. The PRESIDENT: I didn't hear a personal reflection in Senator Cormann's observation there, Senator Wong. On a point of order, Senator Wong? Senator Wong: I know that you're trying to protect a weak minister, but, really, you don't need to get like that. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! On the point of order, Senator Cormann? Senator Cormann: I would just say that Labor is getting very thin-skinned. Senator Wong should reflect on what she just said. The PRESIDENT: On the point of order, I have been liberal in letting people point out part of a question when there's a legitimate point of order on direct relevance. Points of order are not an opportunity to restate the question nor grab the attention of the camera by trying to restate it in a pointed fashion. The minister was asked a question about pensions. It would not be relevant to talk about other policies or to talk about a more general observation on senior Australians, but the minister was directly talking about pensions. I cannot instruct the minister how to answer a question. The minister was directly relevant, and I ask those who are seeking points of order to treat the chamber with some respect. I will start interrupting them if they are not making a point on direct relevance but are merely undertaking a stunt. The minister was being directly relevant by talking about pensions. Senator Wong interjecting— The PRESIDENT: The point of order about direct relevance was not raised by you, Senator Wong, so I'm not making an observation about you at all. I'm making a general observation that points of order on direct relevance at least need to make a claim about direct relevance, not merely restate the question. On the other points of order raised by Senators Wong and Cormann, I did not hear any personal reflections. As leaders they get some extra discretion, but they should not be using points of order to have a go at one another across the table. Senator Ruston to continue. Senator RUSTON: Thank you very much, Mr President. I will continue to advise the chamber, as I said, that pensions have increased under the watch of this government. Pension rates are indexed twice yearly every single year. On 20 September, again we will be increasing the budget. In fact, pension rates will increase to $933.40 per fortnight for singles and $1,407 combined for couples. These rates are indexed twice a year every year and have been indexed twice a year every year since we have been in government. But that's not all we've done for older Australians. We make sure that we assist them in other ways. For instance, the energy supplement is also provided to older— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Keneally, a supplementary question.