Prime Minister Abbott is set to break his promise not to cut the Age Pension, Leader of the Opposition and Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten said today.

Mr Shorten said the impact would be felt by more than 11,000 aged pensioners living in the Maribyrnong electorate and reflected the Abbott Government’s twisted priorities.

“Recent reports are the clearest sign yet that the Age Pension is in the Abbott Government’s sights in the lead up to the Budget.”

“In speaking with local pensioners, I know how worried they are about Tony Abbott’s plans. About what it will mean for their ability to pay for groceries and keep up-to-date with their utility bills as we head into winter.”

Mr Shorten said that Tony Abbott had made a clear promise to not touch pensions in the lead up to the election:

ABBOTT: I can assure your listeners that there will be no cuts to health, no cuts to education, no cuts to pensions, no change to the GST.

 [Tony Abbott – 5 September – ABC AM]

“He’s made cuts to health and he’s made cuts to education – so we know what a Tony Abbott promise is worth,” Mr Shorten said.

“At the same time as he’s preparing to rip support from our local pensioners, he continues to spruik his $5.5 billion paid parental leave scheme.”

“Every Budget is about making choices. This is a government with deeply twisted priorities.”