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The Budget

Submitted by rlewis on 15 May, 2008 - 12:13.
Agedhealth For pensionable Seniors, the budget promised to index future pensions to the highest of three indicators, CPI, average national wage and a new cost of living index for seniors. It also increased a range of allowances such as gas/electricity/water and more, and made provision for another $500 grant. It seems to me that this is a good budget for seniors, for which we should be grateful. Now we need to have the government drill down into the next level issues of aged health care and housing, and come up with productive and affordable initiatives here as well. The facilitation of seniors employment for those who wish to work is also a growing national priority, as also an urgent review of the livable value of the base pension.[Editorial modified 19 May]



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The funny thing is......
Submitted by followed_by_janie on 18 May, 2008 - 23:20.

Last year we were not running at 4.2% inflation, with forecasts of it rising; we did not have a budget that factored in 135,000 more people joining the ranks of the unemployed; we had not signed the Kyoto protocol, which will dramatically increase power costs;  we did not have forecasts of masses of people dumping private health and very likely driving up health fund costs.  We also didn't have billions of dollars squirreled away for unspecified purposes.  we had a budget that was well explained and goals set for the parliamentary term - not reaching ahead up to 12 years with no actual promises re delivery.  If you want protests - give people uncertainty and uncertainty is exactly what we got.   for a country as wealthy as Australia to treat the old and disabled like this is a disgrace. (I am not a pensioner - yet)

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