O'Farrell accused of 'grab' at pensioner carbon rebate
Josephine Tovey
June 15, 2012



"This difficult but responsible decision will help us to deliver vital maintenance to social housing properties" ... Community Services Minister, Pru Goward. 

THE federal government has accused the Premier, Barry O'Farrell, of a ''cash grab'' after the announcement his government will take a cut of carbon tax rebates paid to pensioners by increasing public housing rents.    :(

The Community Services Minister, Pru Goward, said that from March the government would include the rebates when setting social housing rents, which are calculated at 25 per cent to 30 per cent of tenants' income.    :(

The federal government and state opposition attacked the move, saying the rebates were to help single parents, veterans, the elderly and disabled people cope with rising electricity bills and should not be considered general income.   


Single pensioners will receive about $338 a year extra, and couples will receive about $510. The increase will be included in payments from March.

Ms Goward said most tenants would pay an extra dollar or two a week rent and the money would go towards making up the 1.7 per cent increase in property costs resulting from the carbon tax.

''This difficult but responsible decision will help us to deliver vital maintenance to social housing properties and to provide much-needed new properties for the most vulnerable members of our community,'' she said.

The federal government labelled the move a ''cash grab'' and said the carbon tax would have far less impact on housing repairs than Ms Goward claimed - just 0.6 per cent.    :(

The opposition housing spokesman, Adam Searle, said the decision was a case of the Commonwealth extending assistance and the state government taking it back.    :(

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/ofarrell-accused-of-grab-at-pensioner-carbon-rebate-20120614-20d66.html#ixzz1xnnQ36lf

What about the poor pensioners Mr O Farrell?.  Why do you want to take their money?.    :(

This happens every time there is any increase in the pension. Not just public housing but all rents will go up to take away their increase in money.It happens every time.

SOB

That it does, mate. Every time.

Shouldn't be allowed, IMO.

Liberals if you expect anything different you are just dumb.

wrote on Jun 15^th, 2012 at 6:48am:

Will You Take The Pensioners Money Mr O Farrell?

I think the answer is yes.....

It makes me sick to hear organized crime use vulnerable people like pensioners as propaganda for fraud like the Carbon Tax scam.

corporate_whitey wrote on Jun 15^th, 2012 at 10:13am:

It makes me sick to hear organized crime use vulnerable people like pensioners as propaganda for fraud like the Carbon Tax scam.

there's those voices in your head again ....

I don't have a massive problem with it

The Feds knew the states would do this and factored it into the pension increase anyway

They're all just playing a little politics re the blame game

Frances wrote on Jun 15^th, 2012 at 10:07am:

wrote on Jun 15th, 2012 at 6:48am: Will You Take The Pensioners Money Mr O Farrell? I think the answer is yes.....

The pensioners in public housing have not had a increase in benefits for nearly a year.

Labor gave the pensioners a $30 pw increase which was not meant to be included in income calculations for rent.

Barry has included this payment so pensioners have seen rent increases without the pension rising and this will continue until they have clawed back 25% of the increase granted by labor.

wrote on Jun 15^th, 2012 at 6:54am:

What about the poor pensioners Mr O Farrell?.  Why do you want to take their money?.    :(

Yes indeed. What about those poor pensioners?


Quote:

Pensioners strip during pay protest Hundreds of pensioners, some shirtless, have protested in Melbourne against the Rudd government's lack of support for seniors in the federal budget. Some wore bright pink bras on the outside of their clothes, but others shed their outer layers altogether and flaunted their buxom bosoms proudly - all in the name of a fair go for pensioners. The pensioners disrupted traffic for 15 minutes at Melbourne's busiest city intersection just before midday Friday. Backed by Family First senator Steve Fielding, who also took off his shirt, the pensioners called for an extra $70 to $100 a week on their aged pension payments of $546.80 for singles and $456.80 each for couples. [...] http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/564355/pensioners-strip-during-pay-protest

Fancy pensioners being ignored by the enlightened ALP? What next?

You sound happy about it

SOB