Post by Banker on Apr 30, 2012 6:40:52 GMT 7
SOMETIMES it's difficult to give money away.
The Community Services Minister, Jenny Macklin, has $55 million in compensation she wants to hand to 281,000 self-funded retirees before the carbon tax on July 1.
She has the bank account details for all but 9000. But these people aren't particularly interested in receiving handouts. They haven't given Centrelink their details because they don't claim the existing $842.40 a year seniors' supplement to which they are entitled.
On offer are one-off compensation payments of $250 for each single retiree and $380 for each couple. They are due to go into bank accounts in the week beginning June 25.
Any delay means the money will be spent in 2012-13 rather than 2011-12, threatening an elaborate scheme designed to keep payments out of the year the budget is forecast to return to surplus. No compensation is scheduled to be paid to pensioners or retirees in 2012-13 - the year the carbon tax actually begins.
After the upfront payment in June this year, pensioners and retirees will not receive another until July next year when the first of the ongoing quarterly payments go into their bank accounts.
Yesterday Ms Macklin called on the 9000 uninterested retirees to come forward.
"Please make sure your details are up to date with Centrelink so you get your extra assistance as soon as possible," she said.
"While Labor is delivering extra payments, Tony Abbott and the Liberals are planning to claw back money from self-funded retirees, pensioners and families."
But she might find it tough. Any retiree uninterested in claiming $842.40 might also be uninterested in claiming $250. Or if they become interested they might take their time. Some of the compensation payments might go out in 2012-13 after all.
Read more: www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/55m-the-government-cannot-give-away-20120429-1xt11.html#ixzz1tTZ7CYgE
The Community Services Minister, Jenny Macklin, has $55 million in compensation she wants to hand to 281,000 self-funded retirees before the carbon tax on July 1.
She has the bank account details for all but 9000. But these people aren't particularly interested in receiving handouts. They haven't given Centrelink their details because they don't claim the existing $842.40 a year seniors' supplement to which they are entitled.
On offer are one-off compensation payments of $250 for each single retiree and $380 for each couple. They are due to go into bank accounts in the week beginning June 25.
Any delay means the money will be spent in 2012-13 rather than 2011-12, threatening an elaborate scheme designed to keep payments out of the year the budget is forecast to return to surplus. No compensation is scheduled to be paid to pensioners or retirees in 2012-13 - the year the carbon tax actually begins.
After the upfront payment in June this year, pensioners and retirees will not receive another until July next year when the first of the ongoing quarterly payments go into their bank accounts.
Yesterday Ms Macklin called on the 9000 uninterested retirees to come forward.
"Please make sure your details are up to date with Centrelink so you get your extra assistance as soon as possible," she said.
"While Labor is delivering extra payments, Tony Abbott and the Liberals are planning to claw back money from self-funded retirees, pensioners and families."
But she might find it tough. Any retiree uninterested in claiming $842.40 might also be uninterested in claiming $250. Or if they become interested they might take their time. Some of the compensation payments might go out in 2012-13 after all.
Read more: www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/55m-the-government-cannot-give-away-20120429-1xt11.html#ixzz1tTZ7CYgE
