COTA over 50s support climate change plans
Older Australians have supported the carbon pollution reduction scheme initiative announced by the Federal Department of Climate Change.
COTA Over 50s welcomed the general direction of the paper, and was pleased with the Government’s assurances that benefits for pensioners and carers would be increased beyond indexation, to offset rising costs under the scheme.
“Many older Australians are already hard pressed to cope with the rapid increases in the cost of living,” executive director, Dr Geoffrey Bird said.
“I’m pleased that the Government has promised increased payments above automatic indexation, to prevent that situation becoming even worse.”
COTA will monitor the scheme when it is implemented in 2010, to ensure that the money it generates is used to help older households.
The organisation will also press Government to manage the inter-relationship between the tax system and the new scheme effectively.
“Older Australians want to take practical steps in their homes and communities to reduce their carbon footprint, so it is vital that the Government is very proactive in providing consumer information to help households take action to reduce energy use and save on energy bills,” said Dr Bird.
“All of our COTA organisations are well placed to assist in getting that sort of information out.”
