Expansion of Seniors Card
Victorian seniors have welcomed extra funding aimed at allowing older people who are still working to access discounts from government agencies and from businesses.
Victorian Minister for Ageing David Davis recently announced an extra $5 million in support to seniors, including expansion of the popular Seniors Card program in 2015.
This will include more than 160,000 seniors aged 60 years and over who are working 35 hours or more per week.
Currently, the discounts are already available to the 940,000 Victorian Seniors Card holders who work less than 35 hours a week.
Arnold Bates, National Seniors Australia Victorian Policy Advisory Group chair, says the extra funding is a step in the right direction but older people want to see more commitment from the major parties ahead of the 29 November polling day.
“A $5 million funding boost is welcome, but there are still many areas of everyday living that seniors are struggling to cope with,” Mr Bates says.
“Increasing costs are putting pressure on seniors with low and fixed incomes and the major parties have to step up and provide some meaningful measures that will make their lives a little easier,” he says.
“The Minister has said that mature age workers will be able to take part in training programs to improve their skills to help secure employment.
“However, it’s no good trumpeting the training programs if mature age people looking for work – or for more working hours – are unable to get a place on a program.
“And there is no mention of removing the 65 year age limit within the Workers Compensation Scheme.
“Seniors would also like to see a guarantee that there will be no cuts or scaling back of the current level and eligibility criteria for concessions in the wake of the federal budget cuts earlier this year.”
