Pensioners get boost under carbon tax
Australia’s 3.4 million pensioners can expect bigger top-ups to their payments from July next year to help them cope with the proposed carbon tax. The federal government has revealed it plans to boost the pension by 2.5%, worth about $500 a year to single pensioners and $760 for couples, above and beyond the twice-yearly boosts to the pension in March and September due to inflation.
Australia’s 3.4 million pensioners can expect bigger top-ups to their payments from July next year to help them cope with the proposed carbon tax.
The federal government has revealed it plans to boost the pension by 2.5%, worth about $500 a year to single pensioners and $760 for couples, above and beyond the twice-yearly boosts to the pension in March and September due to inflation.
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said the government was intent on providing assistance, amid claims a carbon price could push power bills up by hundreds of dollars.
“In introducing a carbon price the government will make sure that it looks after pensioners,” Mr Combet said.
“We will make sure pensioners have got more money right from the start of the carbon price and that the assistance we provide will be permanent.”
Low and middle income earners, as well as self-funded retirees, are also believed to be in line for a generous assistance package.
But with the finer details of the carbon price and compensation yet to be worked out, the government is still under fire over how big a burden it could place on Australians.
A survey by NRMA found that 60% of respondents would not support a political party that supported a carbon tax that would raise the price of petrol.
About 87% of people said their cost of living was higher than this time last year and two-thirds said they were suffering from stress as a result.
However, the government said every cent raised by the tax would go to assisting households or industry.
Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, said the government’s pension promises could not be trusted.
“Let’s never forget, this was the prime minister who said six days before the last election there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead, and now every Australian is going to be hit by a carbon tax,” Mr Abbott said.
Do you think a 2.5% boost is enough to support our pensioners? Tell us your thoughts in the comment box below.
