Queensland picks up tab for pensioner discounts   

Date
    July 5, 2015
    Brisbane Times

Queensland's energy minister has defended a decision not to increase pensioner concessions, saying electricity and bulk water prices have slipped.

Energy and Water Supply Minister Mark Bailey announced on Sunday the state government would allocate $347 million in next week's budget to maintain seniors' concessions for energy, water and transport.   

It's a boost of $12 million on last year's spending and covers a shortfall left by the federal government, which axed its contributions last year.

But the pensioner rebates for electricity, water, rates and transport will remain unchanged while the natural gas rebate will increase by $1 to $69.


"This year we're seeing an on-average decrease in electricity prices of about half a per cent and we're keeping concessions where they are," Mr Bailey told reporters.

"We're seeing a reduction in the bulk water price for the majority of councils, yet we're keeping the concessions where they are."

Sunday's announcement means more than 500,000 aged pensioners and seniors' card holders will be eligible for up to $710 in concessions, as well as 50 per cent off vehicle registration and public transport.   

The move was welcomed by pensioners at the Wynnum Manly Leagues Bowls Club on Brisbane's bayside, where Mr Bailey and Communities Minister Shannon Fentiman made the announcement.

"I would say every pensioner would be delighted, not satisfied but delighted, because they need the money," 85-year-old Lota pensioner John Wakely told AAP.

The federal government axed its 15 per cent-equivalent contribution to the scheme last year.   

The Newman government wasn't going to make up the shortfall but backflipped after outrage from pensioners.

The electricity rebate will remain at $321, the rates subsidy scheme at $200, and the water concession at $120.

its sad to see money going down the throat of a poker machine, that should be going to the young people struggling to get a home deposit.

truly a narcissistic generation, the baby boomers

aquascoot wrote on Jul 5^th, 2015 at 7:00pm:


If the libs listened to Keating and kept super at 15% and let them draw on it as an income instead of Costellos lump sum we wouldnt have to worry about them taking a pension.

cods wrote on Jul 5^th, 2015 at 7:29pm:


At least you put a bit aside for your net connection