Shame, Australia, shame....?

Question

Why are the people who created the extreme prosperity enjoyed by most Australians today struggling to survive on $270 a week???

Don't Australia's age pensioners deserve a better deal?

Do you want to do something about it?

http://au.todaytonight.yahoo.com/contactform/32400

Answer 1

most definately,what can we do?sorry to answer with a question I have left a comment on the petition board.hope others do to.

Answer 2

I feel very sorry for them - you would think in this day-in-age with everything going up, the would give more than a couple dollars extra  a year, they need h**l of a lot more than that.  

Look how much bread and milk is alone on your weekly bill .. arrghhhh !

I am going to leave a comment on the link you provided - something has to be done!

Answer 3

It certainly is shameful  thanks for the link.

Answer 4

I tend to disagree.. If you spend wisely and plan for your future you wont have a problem.

By pension age, most people would own their own house, have the kids out of home, have travelled, etc..

The problem is the pensioners that put all their pension in the pokies and then complain and sulk.

I think alot of older Australians just like to be able to whinge, they should be grateful that the younger Australians are paying more and more in taxes to support them when our time comes, there will be no such thing as a old age pension.

I will agree there are many that do struggle, some by their own fault, others that arent. The government needs to means test the pensioners like they do all other recepiants and if indeed they are feeding the pokies then give them food vouchers instead. Perhaps the government can pay their utilities and provide a sufficient amount for food, clothing and some to save for a small annual holiday.

I know one pensioner that has $2000 in the bank for a rainy day, but because she had that savings she wasnt entitled to free glasses. That I think stinks, we should all be allowed a little aside for a rainy day, god forebid if your fridge broke or plumbing blew a leak.

The moral is, to save for your future, invest in your superannuation and prepare.

As an only child if my parents survived till their 90, I know I have my inheritance to fall back on, not such a nice thought but its the security I have for my future should something happen to my super or savings.

Answer 5

Shazza seems to be unaware that women of the older age group in particular were often denied access to superannuations or equal pay, even if they were allowed to continue to work after marriage. I began work in 1968 in a bank where you had to leave if you were married. One unmarried woman worked there for 25 years but was paid less than the junior boy because there was no access to promotion or equal pay for her. Maybe nowadays people can be expected to have saved, but in earlier times they simply had no choice - a little compassion needed Shazza.

As for today tonight, you'd be better off telling your local MP what you think - today tonight has such a poor reputation that  I'd be ashamed to have people think I watched it.

Answer 6

My mum was ranting about this the other day. Families need to support their elders and people need to put more into retirement. My friends get more money on student pensions- unfair!!!

Answer 7

For the last 20 years it has been pretty obvious that you could not rely on an old age pension ,I believe it should only be available to people over the age of 75 because the rest should have superannuation ,my generation now needs to support time by paying extra taxes as well as try to put some into superannuation as the pension will definitely not be available in 20 years time ,you have all been warned do not complain when there nothing to pay you .

Answer 8

still better than most Asian countries like Thailand or Vietnam where there is no pension....and better than the US!

But yes, I do agree....the pensioners have been ripped off by the government. But some pensioners will abuse the extra money. I know that my Grandmother will play more bingo and by more smokes......but yes, a pay increase is deserved. These people lived through some of the toughest times in the 20th centery.

If the governemnt dont get off their backsides soon, not only will our elderly suffer in rising costs of everyday things, but then what will the future government do for us when we are old and got wrinkles because there was no example when Johnny and Ruddy was in??

Answer 9

Lot of male age pensioners move to Chiang Mai(Thailand) where that $270 goes a long ,long way.Food and accomodation is dirt cheap as well as dental. Plus there is some spare change for a housekeeper.

Centrelink is ok with this

Better than living in a crappy bedsitter in Redfern