Post by Banker on Mar 15, 2012 15:47:00 GMT 7
Pension increases swallowed up by “anomaly” price rises
Tuesday, 13 March 2012 15:14
“The upcoming Pension increase for Carers, the Aged and Disability Support on 20 March of $6.70 a fortnight for singles and $10 for couples (combined) is certainly welcomed yet many pensioners still struggle to pay ordinary household bills,” said Amelia Christie, CPSA Research and Policy Officer.
“The much sought after $65 increase to fortnightly payments for single pensioners in 2009 was quickly eaten up by the rising prices of essential goods and services.
“The price increases of essentials such as electricity since this time have been at far higher levels than the average CPI leading to an inability to pay.
“Since 2009 we have seen a 19 per cent increase in real terms in electricity while general CPI has remained at around 3 per cent. Pensioners in the private rental market are paying, on average, well over 30 per cent of their income on rent, more than any other group of renters.
“While the bi-annual pension increases take into account CPI increases, they do not adequately factor in these anomalies in essential services leading to pension payments being barely enough or often simply not enough to cover living and accommodation expenses, resulting in bad general health, housing stress, social exclusion and poor mental health outcomes.
“CPSA calls on the Australian Government to reform income support in such a way that people forced to rely on it as their sole or principle source of income are able to pay for adequate food, shelter, utilities and healthcare”.
goo.gl/aV6dj
Tuesday, 13 March 2012 15:14
“The upcoming Pension increase for Carers, the Aged and Disability Support on 20 March of $6.70 a fortnight for singles and $10 for couples (combined) is certainly welcomed yet many pensioners still struggle to pay ordinary household bills,” said Amelia Christie, CPSA Research and Policy Officer.
“The much sought after $65 increase to fortnightly payments for single pensioners in 2009 was quickly eaten up by the rising prices of essential goods and services.
“The price increases of essentials such as electricity since this time have been at far higher levels than the average CPI leading to an inability to pay.
“Since 2009 we have seen a 19 per cent increase in real terms in electricity while general CPI has remained at around 3 per cent. Pensioners in the private rental market are paying, on average, well over 30 per cent of their income on rent, more than any other group of renters.
“While the bi-annual pension increases take into account CPI increases, they do not adequately factor in these anomalies in essential services leading to pension payments being barely enough or often simply not enough to cover living and accommodation expenses, resulting in bad general health, housing stress, social exclusion and poor mental health outcomes.
“CPSA calls on the Australian Government to reform income support in such a way that people forced to rely on it as their sole or principle source of income are able to pay for adequate food, shelter, utilities and healthcare”.
goo.gl/aV6dj