“Local pensioners now know that this is a Prime Minister who cannot be trusted,” Mr Shorten said.
“Before the election, Mr Abbott promised that there would be ‘no changes to pensions’. But yet again, he has walked away from his promises.”
"It was Labor's reforms in 2009 which ensured pensions kept pace with the cost of living. But under the Abbott Government's savage plan, pensions will instead be indexed according to the consumer price index – resulting in aged pensioners being left around $1500 worse off over the next four years.”
Mr Shorten said that those receiving the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carers Payment, Veterans’ Pensions, Wife and Widow Pension and Parenting Payment Single would be affected by Tony Abbott’s cuts.
Locally, that means around:
- 18,000 aged pensioners;
- 5,000 receiving the Disability Support Pension;
- 2,000 receiving the Carer Payment; and
- 1,000 receiving a Veteran’s Affairs pension.
“This is an unprecedented attack upon the living standards of thousands in our community,” Mr Shorten said.
“While Mr Abbott breaks promise after promise, Labor will fight for a fair pension.”
ENDS
