Letter to Federal Government

Dear Prime Minister Scott Morrison,
cc to Treasurer, and Minister for Social Security

I write on behalf of the Fair Go For Pensioners (FGFP) Coalition,Victoria Incorporated, which is an independent non-profit coalition of community-based organisations, retired unionists and concerned individuals. The FGFP advocates for a better deal for age pensioners and other recipients of social security payments who depend on Government for income and other supportive services.

The FGFP is concerned that pensioners are increasingly falling deeper into poverty and the severe climatic changes impose additional and costly health burdens.

I request you, Prime Minister to consider and support the FGFP claims as detailed below and include them in your coming 2020-2021 Federal budget.

These claims have been presented to the Federal Government over many years with hardly any significant positive outcome, apart from 2012 when pensions were raised from 25.5 per cent of the Male Total Average Weekly Earnings to 27.7 per cent of MTAWE.

We categorically reject the often-given explanation that periodic CPI adjustments make up for the huge rises in the cost of living eg energy, food, housing, health and aged care. In terms of national priorities the FGFP believes the needs of pensioners should come well ahead of huge tax concessions to a small minority of rich companies and their institutions. The time is well overdue to return something substantial and immediate
that is $100 a week pension increase – to the veterans of the workforce now also making up the largest component of the army of volunteers who suffer financial hardship, poverty and inequality.

We note in particular the OECD reports ‘ Pensions at a glance’ that Australia spends only 4.2 per cent of its GDP on publicly funded pensions as against the OECD average of 7.5 per cent.That there are nearly 2.5 million aged pensioners and that one in third of these pensioners are born in non-English speaking countries.

The FGFP calls on the government to withdraw the proposed “Integrity Payment” legislation to increase the period of Age Pension eligibility from 10 years to 15 years, double the waiting time for payment to those with small bank savings from 13 weeks to 26 weeks and to cut pension allowances to pensioners visiting country of birth and loved ones. These measures intend to “save” the Government $300 million at the expense of the most vulnerable people in Australia.

The FGFP looks forward to meeting with you and or your relevant ministers to discuss our claims and hopefully have your support.

Yours sincerely,

John Speight

President

READ MORE: Pensioners’ coalition calls for a better deal in federal and state budgets

 

CLAIMS

1. That the Federal Government increases the Age Pension rate from 27.7 per cent of the male average weekly earnings(MTAWE) to 35 of the MTAWE over a medium term (i.e 4 years).

2. That all income support payments be indexed on a quarterly basis.

3. That the retirement age reverts to 65 years of age.

4. Medicare to include optical, hearing, dental and all pharmaceutical services. These services and centre link information be readily available in
person to person and delivered in the appropriate cultures and languages

5. The FGFP calls for the inadequate Newstart Allowance to be raised to at least $100 per week for the single basic rate.

 

Letter to State Government

Dear Premier Dan Andrews,
cc to Treasurer, and Ministers for Social Security, Housing and Transport

I write on behalf of the Fair Go For Pensioners (FGFP) Coalition,Victoria Incorporated, which is an independent non-profit coalition of community based organisations, retired unionists and concerned individuals. The FGFP advocates for a better deal for age pensioners and other recipients of social security payments who depend on Government for income and other supportive services. The FGFP is concerned that age pensioners and others who receive social security payments are increasingly falling deeper into poverty and the severe climatic changes impose additional and costly health problems.

I request you, Mr Premier to consider and support the FGFP claims as detailed below and include them in your coming 2020-2021 State budget These claims are in the Victorian Government’s jurisdiction.
We are writing to the Prime Minister on claims under federal jurisdiction.

These claims have been presented to Victorian Governments over many years with hardly any significant positive outcome. We categorically reject the often-given explanation that periodic CPI adjustments or a government facilitated limited solar access make up for the huge rises in the cost of living eg energy, housing. The time is well overdue for a return to something substantial for the veterans of the workforce now making up the largest component of the army of volunteers who suffer from financial hardship, poverty and inequality.

The FGFP looks forward to meeting with you for the first time since you have become premier to discuss our claims and hopefully have your support.

Yours sincerely
John Speight
President

READ MORE: Greece looking to draw in northern Europe pensioners with tax exemption plan

CLAIMS

1. That the State Government re-instates a 100 per cent reduction on pensioner motor vehicle registration fees.

2. That all utility concession rates be standardised throughout the year, in recognition that cooling systems in the summer are as important to seniors’ health and well being as heating systems in winter.

3. That all utility concession rates – electricity, gas and water are increased from 17 per cent to 20 per cent and council fees waived for pensioners and other concession card holders. These concession rates have remained unchanged for over 20 years.

4. That public transport across Victoria for pensioners and other concession card holders be free or at least free during off peak hours.

5. That the Victorian Government revise its Homes for Victorians strategic plan to ensure ongoing funding for the growth of secure, accessible and affordable public housing to address the current and future rental housing needs of eligible pensioners and other people on low to middle incomes.