JENNY MACKLIN MP
Minister for Families, Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs
Minister for Disability Reform
Bill Shorten MP
Member for Maribyrnong
More than 23,000 local pensioners are set to get extra support to help them make ends meet, with $5.2 million worth of new cash payments hitting households from today.
Minister for Families, Jenny Macklin, said 23,200 pensioners in Maribyrnong would receive a cash payment over the coming weeks, ahead of the introduction of the carbon price on 1 July.
“All full and part pensioners in Maribyrnong will receive a lump sum payment of $250 for singles and $380 for couples combined,” Ms Macklin said.
“This extra cash will go straight into pensioners’ bank accounts to help them keep on top of the bills.
“We know pensioners can find it pretty tough to keep up. They have the least room to move when costs go up, and this new support from the Gillard Government should give pensioners a bit of extra breathing space.”
The Member for Maribyrnong, Bill Shorten, said local pensioners will get another boost next year, with an ongoing increase to their fortnightly payments from March.
“In total, local pensioners will get about $338 extra a year for singles and $510 extra a year for couples combined,” Mr Shorten said.
“We’re determined that pensioners across Australia will be given the extra support they need to keep up with the cost of living.”
“I know that pensioners and those on the lowest incomes in Maribyrnong are feeling the pinch at the moment, and we want to make sure the compensation for the carbon price is more than adequate,” Mr Shorten said.
“In fact, the majority of pensioners will end up coming out ahead after the carbon price starts on 1 July, with 93% of all pensioner households at least 20% better off.
“We’re also delivering extra support to self-funded retirees, veterans, students and other eligible households next month, and tax cuts for 46,000 Maribyrnong taxpayers in July,” Mr Shorten said.
“While Tony Abbott and the Liberals keep promising to claw back all this extra support, we’ll keep working hard to make sure local pensioners are coming out on top.”
Pensioners can find out more by visiting australia.gov.au/householdassistance or calling 132 300.
Suburbs in the Maribyrnong electorate include: Aberfeldie, Airport West, Albion, Avondale Heights, Brooklyn (part), Essendon, Essendon North, Essendon West, Kealba, Keilor East, Keilor Park, Maribyrnong (part), Moonee Ponds, Niddrie, St Albans (part), Sunshine, Sunshine North and Tullamarine (part).
Media Contact:
Jayne Edwards
Kieran Barns-Jenkins
9326 1300
