Vote winners for the coalition

National Seniors Australia (NSA) has welcomed the coalition’s pledge to index the income limits on the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and introduce an employer incentive payment for older workers if they are voted into government.
 
The card entitles low-income self-funded retirees access to cheaper medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and a quarterly utility payment.
 
NSA chief executive, Michael O’Neill, described the promise to index the income limits on the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card as a “vote winner” for self-funded retirees.
 
“For low income retirees who don’t receive a pension, the card and what it entitles them to, such as cheaper medicines and help with utilities, is gold,” said Mr O’Neill.
 
“Despite rising living costs, the current income limits of $50,000 for singles and $80,000 for couples have not increased since 2001,” he said.
 
The group also welcomed the coalition’s employer incentive saying long term unemployment rates for the over-50s were consistently higher than the rest of the population.

Under a coalition government, businesses will receive up to $3,250 for employing a person over the age of 50 who receives a government benefit.

Commencing in mid-2011, the senior employment incentive payment should boost productivity and encourage businesses to take on senior workers. Opposition leader, Tony Abbott, made the announcement while campaigning in Brisbane yesterday.

“I think that older people are an asset, and I want them to be an economic asset as well as a social and cultural asset,” Mr Abbott told reporters.

Businesses would receive the payment, equating to $250 a fortnight, as a lump sum once the employee has completed six months of work.
 
“Lose your job at 50 and it’ll take three times longer to get back into the workforce than someone younger,” said Mr O’Neill.
 
“In 2009, almost 60,000 older Australians who wanted to work stopped looking for jobs because no one would employ them. It’s a waste of talent and experience, and, in terms of productivity, an enormous loss to the economy,” he said.
 
“The reality is that with populations ageing across the OECD, 50 isn’t old these days – it’s the norm, it’s the future and astute employers know that already,” he said.
 
Other notable policies include a national seniors safety program, the abolition of the Superannuation Guarantee age limit and the creation of a dedicated Seniors Minister.