[Greens-Media] Greens call for $30 a week pension lift in budget

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Sunday, 6 April 2008

Greens call for $30 a week pension lift in budget

85% of Australians want pension increase: poll

The Prime Minister should listen to the public and raise the aged
pension by at least $30 a week in the May budget, Australian Greens
leader Bob Brown said today.

"Aged pensioners are Australia's forgotten battlers," Senator Brown
said.

"Prime Minister Rudd should increase the single aged pension by $30 a
week in the May budget. Australia's 2 million pensioners have beeb left
out-there hasn't been a substantial increase the aged pension since
1993," Senator Brown said.

A Galaxy poll in today's News Limited papers shows that 85% of
Australians support an increase the aged pension. The Australian Greens'
plan to raise the aged pension by at least $30 a week would cost $3
billion, less than the $3.5 billion in Howard government tax cuts going
to people earning over $75,000 a year in the May budget.

"The Australian Greens strongly support the Fair Go for Pensioners
initiative. Pension action must come in the May budget," 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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