Pension jump confirmed by Govt ministers

Australian pensions are now expected to jump by $35 a week for single pensioners and $51 a week for a couple after comments this week by Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan when he said that pensioners were the only group guaranteed to get financial help in the May budget.

Mr.Swan said on ABC radio that “we have made a commitment when it comes to pensions, but as I have said, there will be hard choices to be made. I’m not going to get into the business of ruling anything in, or ruling anything out”.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd added to the speculation earlier about the likely $35 and $51 figures when he referred to the $1400 and $2100 payouts as “down payments” delivered as part of the economic stimulus package in December.

Families Minister Jenny Macklin has confirmed that carers, disability support pensioners and veterans will also receive budget increases.

The budget commitment has been welcomed by the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA) but not if increases were delivered across the board.

CPSA policy co-ordinator Charmaine Crowe said that pensioners in public housing could lose 25% in rent adjustments and part-pensioners with independent income “getting perhaps just $2 a week would get the lot”.

The CPSA wants the increases paid as a means-tested supplement that would not be taken into account in adjusting rents.

Ms Crowe said that a significant increase was needed for single people whose only income was a $70 weekly payment.