For the first time since 1997, Hunter age pensioners will not receive a scheduled increase to their payments until March next year.
In the most recent Senate inquiry it was confirmed there will be no September increase due to a period of negative inflation in the June quarter.
Shortland MP Pat Conroy says pensioners have been struggling with rises to health, energy and food expenses and it is unacceptable that they go 12 months without their payment being indexed.
"Labor and I are calling on the Prime Minister to intervene and say this is not on, there needs to be an indexation of the pension in September as everyone expects there to be... I think its very unfair for the Government to be attacking pensioners,' Pat Conroy said
The Government also confirmed several other payments would not be indexed either, including the Disability Support Pension (DSP).
"This means a further 6,000 Shortland residents will be impacted... Almost 30,000 Shortland residents on the age pension or the DSP will be affected by having their pension cut because of this very mean, half-hearted decision by the Coalition Government," Pat Conroy said.
"Pensioners aren't living a life of luxury, they are doing their best everyday to pay their bills and this means the pension will have to go a bit further because prices are rising."
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| Image credit: Gladstone Observer |
