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CERTAINTY FOR QUEENSLAND PENSIONERS

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
06/11/2009
CERTAINTY FOR QUEENSLAND PENSIONERS

The Bligh Government will act to give around 25,000 Queensland pensioners certainty by making sure none of a recent pension increase is lost in increased rent.

The $32-a-week increase, granted in the most recent federal Budget, applies to single pensioners.

There are around 25,000 single pensioners in social housing who pay a set amount - 25 per cent of their income - in rent. These funds go towards the maintenance and upkeep of the homes in which they live.

"We will make sure this weekly increase will not be counted as income and therefore every cent of the rise will go into the pockets of pensioners. None will be lost in rent," Ms Bligh said.

"We are doing this because we know pensioners are doing it tough and every cent counts.

"There has been much debate surrounding this issue and today is about giving Queensland pensioners the certainty they deserve."

Through the Council of the Australian Federation (CAF) states had agreed to an initial 12-month moratorium quarantining rents from the increase.

CAF support was to allow time for Governments to work through the wider implications of the decision and any potential legal issues.

The decision means $35 million in foregone revenue over the next four years.

While I would have preferred a national approach, some states are still considering their position and my view is that it's time to Queensland pensioners at ease," Ms Bligh said.

"I know that pensioners out there are doing it tough.

"That's why we continue to commit around $150 million a year for seniors and pensioner concessions through the Seniors Card which includes transport concessions and rebates on their power bills.

"And we committed an extra $15.5 million in the budget to increase in the pensioner electricity rebate in our latest State budget - an extra $25 per pensioner back each year."

Permanent Link: CERTAINTY FOR QUEENSLAND PENSIONERS
Publish Date: 06 Nov 09

Article Contact Details

Queensland Government, Premier and Minister for Reconstruction :
PO Box 15185, City East QLD 4002, Brisbane
Phone: 07 3224 2111
Fax: 07 3229 2900

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