Local pensioners will receive another welcome boost to their household budgets from 20 March from the Federal Labor Government.
Local pensioners will receive another welcome boost to their household budgets from 20 March from the Federal Labor Government.
Mark Dreyfus QC MP said more than 25,000 local pensioners are now receiving an increase in their pension along with the new Clean Energy Supplement.
Single pensioners on the maximum rate are now receiving an extra $35.80 per fortnight, and pensioner couples on the maximum rate are receiving an extra $54.00 per fortnight combined.
The increased total pension payment for people on the maximum rate is now:
$808.40 a fortnight for singles, and
$1,218.80 a fortnight for couples combined.
"This Labor Government is delivering for our local pensioners because we know they have the least room to move in their budgets. This boost helps make sure our local pensioners can keep on top of things when the bills arrive," said Mr Dreyfus.
The new Clean Energy Supplement, which is part of the Household Assistance Package, will now be paid fortnightly along with the pension, at a rate of $13.50 per fortnight for singles and $20.40 a fortnight for couples combined.
Mr Dreyfus said Labor's pension reforms and the new Clean Energy Supplement meant the maximum rate of the single pension was now $207 a fortnight higher than it was in September 2009.
"This Labor Government has delivered the single biggest pension increase in more than 100 years, we've improved the indexation system, and now we're providing another important boost with the new Clean Energy Supplement."
"In total contrast, Tony Abbott and the Liberals have promised to claw back every cent of the support Labor is delivering pensioners under the Household Assistance Package.
"This means every single pensioner in Isaacs - all 25,000 of them - would lose hundreds of dollars a year if the Liberal Party had their way."
"Tony Abbott and the Liberals will claw back more than $350 year from single pensioners and more than $530 a year from pensioner couples living in Isaacs."
The pension increase applies to people receiving the Age Pension, the maximum rate Disability Pension, and Carer Payment, as well as veterans' income support recipients.
Full details of all new rates and thresholds can be found at: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/about-fahcsia/benefits-payments/indexation-rates-march-2013
