[Greens-Media] Greens call on Coalition, ALP to give aged pensioners a pay rise

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Friday, 14 September 2007 

Greens call on Coalition, ALP to give aged pensioners a pay rise

Greens Leader Bob Brown today welcomed Coalition plans to review
pensions and Labor's plans to increase the pension for Australian
veterans by $30 per fortnight, but said it was time all aged pensions
were increased.

"The Greens have been calling for a $60 a fortnight increase in aged
pensions for some time and we are pleased that both the Labor and
Liberal parties are responding to the Greens' policy," said Senator
Brown said. 

"There has not been a substantial increase in the aged pension during
Prime Minister Howard's 11 years in office. Unlike the Coalition, the
Greens don't need a review to know that in this time of economic
prosperity all our aged pensioners deserve a pay rise."

The Greens would fund a $60 per fortnight increase in the aged pension
funded by scrapping the tax cut for those earning over $75,000 per year,
announced in the federal budget.

"It's all about priorities. The Greens support an increase in the aged
pension and the veterans' pension. Neither the ALP nor the Liberal Party
will support us," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603



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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185	

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