[Greens-Media] Age should not mean poverty

[campaign at act.greens.org.au]

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MEDIA RELEASE Kerrie Tucker ACT Greens for the Senate
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Tues 25 Sept 07



Age should not mean poverty

Kerrie Tucker, Greens Senate candidate for the ACT, described Government
policy for older people as unfair.

Ms Tucker will address a Council for the Aging (COTA) election forum in
Hughes at 2.00pm today.

"The implicit assumption underlying Government policy is that it is OK to
inflict a level of poverty on current pensioners that 'baby boomers' would
not accept" Ms Tucker said.

"This is inequitable, and needs to be addressed."

"The Greens propose:
- an immediate $60 increase a fortnight in the aged pension
- fair indexation for Commonwealth and Defence Force superannuants (whose
average pension is approx $22,000 for a couple)
- acknowledgment of the particular disadvantage women face in retirement,
as a result of work lives often interrupted by child rearing and other
caring roles."

"Much public money is currently being spent on future retirees through tax
concessions to middle and high income earners. Surely the current
pensioners should be the first priority?"

"There hasn’t been a real increase in the aged pension since 1993.
Australia’s 1.2 million aged pensioners live on $13,652 a year.  Prime
Minister Howard makes almost that much a fortnight."

"Recent loosening of the asset test for pensioners is another indication
that the Howard Government is either unaware of the growing economic
inequality in Australia or they are just not concerned about it."

"The ALP and Coalition claim the $60 a fortnight increase called for by
the Greens is unaffordable, yet they support the loosening of the assets
test to include people who have $800,000 in the bank - which is estimated
to cost $1 billion per year."

"Too many aging Australians are losing out" Ms Tucker said.

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Media contact Roland Manderson 041 224 1379

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ACT Greens 8-10 Hobart Place Canberra City ACT 2601
ph: 6247 6305 fax: 6247 6455
kerrie.tucker at greens.org.au
www.greens.org.au
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