[Greens-Media] Greens back National Seniors' call for $30 a week increase in single aged pension

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Greens back National Seniors' call for $30 a week increase in single aged pension

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should immediately increase the single aged pension by $30 a week, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"Australia's 1.2 million pensioners are doing it tough. A weekly income of $273 is not enough to cover the increasing costs of groceries, transport, housing and dental and medical bills and the Prime Minister should immediately raise the single aged pension by $30 a week to give pensioners a bit of relief," Senator Brown said.

"Pensioners cannot afford to wait months for another review to say what we already know: the aged pension is not enough to provide a decent standard of living.

"The Greens will continue to put the plight of pensioners on the government's agenda until action is taken," Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown said the Greens supported calls from National Seniors Australia, to immediately increase the single age pension from 59% to two thirds of the couple rate, equivalent to a $30 a week increase.

"However, we will be pressing Treasurer Swan for an additional across-the-board rise in pensions before or in the 2009/10 budget," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603

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Ebony Bennett
Media Advisor 
Senator Bob Brown | Leader of the Australian Greens 
e: ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au 
m: 0409 164 603 | p: (02) 6277 3170 | f: (02) 6277 3185
w: www.bobbrown.org.au <http://www.bobbrown.org.au/>   <http://www.greens.org.au>