Welcome reforms will help local families and pensioners
Page MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed two pieces of legislation introduced into the Parliament this week will benefit thousands of local age pensioners and families with teenagers.
Ms Saffin said age pensioners in Page are set to benefit from a new, more generous Work Bonus taking effect from July 1 this year.
“This delivers on the Government’s election commitment to help age pensioners who work earn more before their pension is affected
“Under the new rules age pensioners will be able to earn up to $250 a fortnight without it being assessed as income under the income test.
“An important part of this, and something I have lobbied for, is that pensioners will be able to build up any unused amount in an ‘income bank’ to a total of $6500.
“This means pensioners will be able to earn up to $6500 per year without it affecting their pension, and this can be from regular work or from a short term of employment for example as an HSC exam supervisor or census collector.
“There are more than 29,000 pensioners in Page and I am pleased to see this fairer system coming in that will help those who want to stay connected to the workforce.
“In another welcome reform, the Government has introduced legislation to increase the family payments for families of teenagers aged 16 to 19 years.
“From 1 January 2012 the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit part A will increase by more than $160 per fortnight for 16 to 19 year olds who are in high school or equivalent vocational training.
“Under the changes the 16 to 19 rate will be the same as the rate for 13 to 15 year olds.
“This is another reform I have lobbied for on behalf of people in my electorate because currently the rate drops when a young person turns 16, even though teenagers do not become cheaper to care for as they get older.
“This sharp drop in family support can be hard for families and in some instances can lead teenagers to leave school early if their family can’t support them.
“Families with teenagers turning 16, 17, 18 or 19 in 2012 will be the first to benefit with increases of up to $4200 a year per teenager,” Ms Saffin said.
“The exact amount that each family will receive depends on family income and the age and number of their children.”
11 February 2011
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