The following is a statement by the president (Victoria) Joe Montero on behalf of and endorsed by the Steering Committee of Fair Go For Pensioners
The announced new age pension rise coming in effect on 20 March is being used to pretend that this group of pensioners are getting good deal. The truth is that they are still being cheated. The new base rate of $510 per week, or $8.80 for singles and $14.70 for couples, does little to address years of neglect. This miserly rise is an equivalent of two cups of coffee and a newspaper and does little to correct years of decline.
It’s true that those with disability, single parents, and the unemployed get even less. This doesn’t justify the mistreatment of age pensioners. But it does reveal the mind of government, which is, that those on Centrelink payments don’t matter. Pensioners are also being cruelly marginalised in every way.
All this is being covered by gross misinformation.
Ever since 2008 and the current adjustment system, the twice yearly adjustments have been so underpaid that age pensioners are now shortchanged thousands of dollars every year. The results have been increasing poverty, negative impacts on health, rising depression, and exclusion from participation in the community. This is wrong.
The formula used to calculate the six monthly increase is ambiguous and subject to manipulation, and successive governments have been guilty of using the opportunity to deny the proper increases.
Underpayment is helped with the use a special for purpose consumer price index weighted around wrong assumptions about older people. These include that housing needs only cost around 22 percent of income, they don’t pay for utilities, and their transport costs are negligeable. In short, older people are seen to need less money than others to enjoy an acceptable standard of living.
Adding $7.05 a week for utilities and free public transport at the weekend doesn’t fix the problem.
Dismal treatment like this is worse in the midst of a rapidly rising cost of living.
Under its own guidelines, the Australian government has an obligation to ensure a standard of living to the level of acceptable community standards. This is not being met.
Age pensioners are angry, feel cheated, disrespected, and discarded. After all, this is the generation that spent a lifetime working to build this country and paid tax. The nation owes them the right to pend the last part of their life in dignity and reasonable comfort. In fact, many volunteer their time and contribute immensely to keep the economy and society going. Instead of valuing this, older people are treated as a burden that shouldn’t be there.
Older people aren’t even consulted about matter that affect the conditions in which they are compelled to live.
Fair Go For Pensioners will continue to fight for a better deal. We will tell the truth about what’s going on, and campaign to pressure for change.
I would have expected this sort of shocking neglect from the Coalition. Albanese and Chalmers should be ashamed of themselves.
It’s a poor increase. Not covering living expenses at all.
I’m very late with this comment! Only because I’ve just seen it. insult is not the word to use for this pay rise. Every thing I have to pay has gone beyond this missable insulting pay rise. It has done Absolutely nothing.And it is taking me all my time and every cent to live.One big nightmare shopping. Every thing I have to pay has gone sky high. Rent went up, my funeral insurance went up, insurance for my Dog went sky high. And I have to be with RACV no choice with this it’s
Essential with a old car. Power went sky high. All of the above are essential. And needed. Now we go on to Food! I can’t afford decent heathly food for myself. And some days I don’t Eat, and other days I will have a sandwich! And with peanut butter or Vegemite, sometimes I make a egg sandwich. Eggs have even gone sky high with prices.sometimes I buy fish fingers or fish cakes, could never ever afford meat. And I sometimes buy instant noodles! Price has doubled on these and even fish cakes bloody everything in my simple plain food. Put essential things on shopping list? Toilet paper, washing soap, soap for washing dishes! But don’t have many dishes! Because I can’t afford to EAT!! And even use power to cook! Now we talk about Dog Food, but first I say this my dog comes first!! He will always be fed before me not his fault Government has done this.Dog Food price has gone through the roof!! And this has put my shopping list sky high. I need my dog and he needs me.he helps me get through my day without him I just may as well just give up? Now I talk about my medical,I live in a small town and have to see my doctor every 28 days and it’s a 100 KMs trip, Petrol is expensive, so more money, And my car is 27 years old, has not had a service for about 5 years. And no way could I afford to get it serviced and I pray! Before I use it to go and see my doctor. And this old car is another thing I have that I need. I don’t have family who can take me shopping or to doctors. I worked all my life, every day I worked, and long hours. my late husband did as well. We lost just about all our super when it was invested with a unreliable company.So not one person can say I never worked!! There was No hand outs from Government in our days? You had to work. No work no money. And now for me it’s harder? My dog is not very good and needs constant Vet treatment. His insurance does not cover everything. Life is hard for Older Pensioners who have done it tough and still are doing it tough, I never go out! Forgot what that’s like. But this does not bother me. I rather stop home with my dog, I sit and try and work out how am I going to get through to next pension day?? So I say a one big thank you Mr Albanese for all your help making it better for the older pensioners!! I personally think you are just waiting for us all to Die!! And this is the truth because you have done nothing to help make life a bit easier for us. plus I never voted for Labour! Seen what they were like over my life time!! Oh! And I must say I will be 80 in a couple of days and female. And still do everything myself. Way to proud to ask for help and you are welcome to use my name and email address. I have nothing to hide, plus everything I have said is the truth.