Opposition sceptical on Govt's pension pledge

Opposition treasury spokeswoman Julie Bishop says pensioners are unlikely to be comforted by the Government's pledge to lift pension rates in next year's budget. On Sunday, Treasurer Wayne Swan said pension rates would be increased in next year's budget, but later Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner said he was not in the business of handing out guarantees. Ms Bishop says the Prime Minister himself has had several positions on the issue. "The pensioners of Australia have no idea whether the Government will support them in the future," she... [read full story]