Opposition sceptical on Govt's pension pledge
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'Complex exercise': Mr Rudd said earlier he is determined to deliver a pension reform.
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 said.
"They certainly won't support them with an increase now and there is great uncertainty whether the Government will commit to an increase in pensions in the next budget."
Earlier today, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told Fairfax Radio the Federal Government will definitely deliver a pension increase next year.
"We are absolutely determined to deliver pension reform," he said.
"We said back at budget time this is a complex exercise, it involves millions of Australians, it's very expensive.
"We will do it and we will do it by the next budget."
