Shorten fields talkback questions

WHAT ABC LISTENERS IN BRISBANE ASKED BILL SHORTEN

* Why did you increase the pension age?, David from Highvale.

- Shorten told the "burnt-out" factory worker in his mid-50s Labor doesn't support the government's plan to increase the pension age to 70.

* Access to the NBN, Eugene from Wooloowin.

- Shorten says Labor will have a greater proportion of fibre, but it won't rip up everything the government has done. Its NBN policy to be announced soon.

* Increases to low and middle income wages, Peter from Facebook

- Shorten defends the independent umpire - the Fair Work Commission - warning if it didn't exist the Liberal Party could reduce the minimum wage.

* "Torture camps" on Nauru and Manus Island, Pria from West End.

- Shorten says Australia is not racist by having offshore detention centres, but if Labor wins government he will send his immigration minister to speak to the UN High Commissioner on Refugees about resettlement options.

* Private health insurance, Barbara from Northgate.

- Shorten took on notice her question about the lifetime health cover penalty. Labor's health policy announcements to come.