Here is a list of those Aussie pollies who have admitted that Old Age and Disability Support pensions, for single people living alone and without assets, are vastly inadequate - but either do not intend to do anything to help for at least another 6 months at the earliest or only see the issue as an opportunity to front the cameras and play wedge politics.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
Deputy-Prime Minister Julia Gillard
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
Deputy-Prime Minister Julia Gillard
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan
Minister for Finance Lindsay Tanner
Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon
Minister for Community Services Jenny Macklin
Federal Leader of the Opposition Brendan Nelson
Deputy-Leader of the Opposition Julie Bishop
Minister for Community Services Jenny Macklin
Federal Leader of the Opposition Brendan Nelson
Deputy-Leader of the Opposition Julie Bishop
Oppostion Spokesperson for Indigenous Affairs Tony Abbott
Tasmanian Labor MP Dick Adams
Tasmanian Labor MP Dick Adams
Queensland Labor MP Brett Raguse
South Australian Labor MP Steve Georganas
Queensland Liberal MP Margaret May
Family First Senator Steve Fielding
Independent Senator Nick Xenophon
Uncle Tom Cobbley and all.............
Only the Greens in the Australian Senate, headed by Senator Bob Brown, are believable when they once again point to the need for immediate relief for the most hard-pressed of pensioners.
There are lone pensioners sitting in their rented homes on the NSW Northern Rivers right now who have no more money for food, medicines or essentials until the middle of next week - 7 days away, 7 days of want and making do with what's in the scant kitchen cupboard, 7 days of not getting help from their GP because most local doctors don't regularly bulk-bill, 7 days of hiding this 'shameful' poverty from the rest of the community.
Fair go, Kev! You wouldn't treat a dingo like this, so why are you pretending that the aged and disabled should be quietly grateful and manage until next year's budget.
Only the Greens in the Australian Senate, headed by Senator Bob Brown, are believable when they once again point to the need for immediate relief for the most hard-pressed of pensioners.
There are lone pensioners sitting in their rented homes on the NSW Northern Rivers right now who have no more money for food, medicines or essentials until the middle of next week - 7 days away, 7 days of want and making do with what's in the scant kitchen cupboard, 7 days of not getting help from their GP because most local doctors don't regularly bulk-bill, 7 days of hiding this 'shameful' poverty from the rest of the community.
Fair go, Kev! You wouldn't treat a dingo like this, so why are you pretending that the aged and disabled should be quietly grateful and manage until next year's budget.
Given age or chronic illness, many of them will have died by then.
In August The Age told us:
In August The Age told us:
4 comments:
I do live on the single rate pension and I live very well thank you. I do, however, own my own home and the doctors in this area bulk bill. If someone is paying rent and also paying to see medicos, which most do frequently as they age, then even $100 a fortnight is inadequate to cover this. More services are needed which will benefit all. Governments should fund more and better housing for dependant people.No government can force doctors to bulk bill but they can fund incentives or create alternatives. By the way, I gave up smoking and drinking when I went on the pension. Boring but necessary for financial survival.
I do live on the singles pension rate and I live very well, thank you very much. I must point out,however, that I do own my own house and the doctors around here bulk bill. I have no other income, not even the $20 a week that Jennie Macklin refers to, nor do I own a car and public transport down here is expensive.I use it at a maximum of once a fortnight.The situation North Coast Voices writes about is due to the lousy services being provided such as extortionate rent and unsympathetic medicos. Even $100 extra won't compensate for that as the landlords will just increase the rent. Governments must build more and better homes for our aged and dependant population. No government can force doctors to bulk bill but they can fund incentives or provide alternatives.
Incidentally, I gave up smoking and drinking when I went on the pension. Boring but necessary for financial survival.
"...but either do not intend to do anything to help for at least another 6 months at the earliest or only see the issue as an opportunity to front the cameras and play wedge politics."
Wow...is that the most partisan piece of pretend journalism today, or what?
So, what you are saying is you don't support an increase in the pension? Or is it simply that you're damned if you do, damned if you don't (unless you're a Green?)
To Anonymous 11 September 2008 15:30,
Perhaps people in parliamentary libraries should avoid throwing stones during office hours.
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