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SENIOR government frontbencher Scott Morrison has apologised for the pain in next week's federal budget, and says pensioners and self-retirees "may feel particularly disappointed".
St George federal Liberal MPs David Coleman and Nick Varvaris joined Mr Morrison in appealing for understanding.
They responded to questions from the Leader about the justification for savage budget cuts and whether election promises might be broken.
Mr Morrison, who holds the Sutherland Shire seat of Cook and is Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, said he knew "many will be disappointed by some of the measures".
"This is deeply regrettable, but very necessary. I do know though that if we work together as a country - all of us — and we stick to our plan, we will get to the other side.
"We can fix Labor's mess, but only if we all do our part.
"We won't get there if we think someone else will do it for us."
Mr Morrison said the government was "appealing to all Australians to work with us to work through this enormous challenge".
"In particular I know that our pensioners and self-funded retirees may feel particularly disappointed.
"You have made an extraordinary contribution and deserve your retirement after decades of hard work.
"However, I also know that more than any other generation you understand about times of national challenge."
Mr Varvaris, the MP for Barton, said constituents had more reason to be afraid of the path ahead for Australia should the government fail to act.
"Beyond a certain point, nations with significant deficits don't control debt; debt controls them," he said.
"The National Commission of Audit report found, unless there is remedial action, government spending will blow out from $409 billion this year to nearly $700 billion in a decade."
Mr Varvaris said Australians could be confident the government would "do the right thing by the nation".
Hughes MP Craig Kelly said Labor's "devastating legacy of waste and debt" had resulted in $12 billion a year in interest alone.
"The Coalition was elected to repair the damage Labor's poor economic management had on the economy and we will do it in a way that meets our commitments," he said.
■ Banks MP David Coleman said people would see the government was taking "sensible steps to get our economy back on track".
The Labor government ran up huge deficits, he said.
"When Labor came into government in 2007, there was no debt and we had money in the bank.
"We are now paying more than $12 billion of interest on debt per year, which is more than $30 million every single day.
"That's dead money that can't be invested in important services or infrastructure - it's just lost."
Retirees in government's sights
A crackdown on the eligibility of self-funded retirees for the Seniors Health Care Card could be among budget measures alluded to by Mr Morrison.
While he did not say where the axe would fall, the National Commission of Audit recommends tightening eligibility for the card.
Cardholders receive discounts on medicines, GP visits and hearing aids, as well as cash payment of $858 a year.
Changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, also recommended by the Commission of Audit, might also affect retirees.
Aged pensioners could be affected by a recommended change to indexation arrangements.
The commission also recommended the family home be included in the pension assets test but if this measure was adopted, a long lead-in time would be expected.
Treasurer Joe Hockey announced late last week the pension age would be lifted to 70 by 2035. This will affect those born after 1965.
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