Today Senator Kate Lundy, Federal Member for Canberra Annette Ellis MP and Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan MP joined together to urge all senior Australians and groups to make a submission by 20 July 2007 to the Senate Inquiry that Labor has established into the cost of living pressures facing older Australians.
“Older Australians I meet at my community morning teas all over Fraser have told me about how they struggle to make ends meet on low fixed incomes – both aged pensioners and self-funded retirees” said Bob McMullan.
“In particular, I have had a large number of representations from retired public servants who are struggling to maintain their living standards due to the indexation of their superannuation.”
Annette Ellis added that she had met with many residents in her electorate of Canberra who are experiencing similar problems.
“In the last two years, the price of food has increased by 9 per cent, and the price of petrol has increased by over 17 per cent. These prices are going up much faster than retiree incomes can cope with, and they suffer as a result,” said Ms Ellis.
ACT Senator Kate Lundy pointed to the fact that while this is a large problem for the ACT currently, it is only going to become more widespread with time.
“In 2005 the ABS noted that there were over 30,000 residents over the age of 65 living in the ACT, and that this was a group of the population that was rapidly increasing in number.”
Federal Labor wants to give seniors in the ACT the chance to talk about how they make ends meet every day.
That’s why Federal Labor had to force the Howard Government to agree to a Senate Inquiry.
After 11 years in power, Mr Howard has lost touch with older Australians and families.
Mr Howard recently said Australian families “have never been better off”. The truth, however, is that many are struggling.
Federal Labor wants to ensure that older Australians are not forgotten and left out during this time of prosperity.
SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE 20 JULY 2007
For further information on the Senate Inquiry and on how to make a submission: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/clac_ctte/older_austs_living_costs/tor.htm
Contact: Rachel Allen 0418 488 295
