Melbourne Greek community calls for pension raise after automatic indexation increase halted

·

The Greek Community of Melbourne has called for an increase in pensions in a letter to the Federal Government, due to the recent announcement of the Ministry of Social Services that Australian pensioners will not receive an automatic indexation increase this year, on the grounds that inflation has fallen.

In its letter, the Community points out that many of its members are elderly and rely on their pensions as their only source of income. They stressed that after the announcement of the ministry, many people contacted the Community asking for clarification of this decision, as well as to express their concerns.

The Greek Community of Melbourne notes that not providing an annual increase to retirees will result in significant reduction in quality of life for many.

“We do not think this is the right way to deal with some of the most vulnerable in Australia, especially in these emotional and difficult times. That is why we are asking the Federal Government to consider increasing pensions despite index,” the Greek Community of Melbourne says.

READ MORE: Greek Federation asks Scott Morrison to include dental care for pensioners in Medicare

The Community states in its letter that “if the increase in pensions is not possible from the budget, due to the Federal Government’s expenditure on maintaining and creating jobs in these difficult times, for which we applaud the Government, there may be other ways in which a retiree can be helped.”

The Community has listed the following ways that external support can be achieved:

  1. Adjustment of the control limit of retirees’ assets
    • In recent years, the increase in property values ​​has far exceeded the index. However, the increases in pension asset control thresholds do not reflect this increase. As a result, many retirees receive a reduced pension without any other source of income. This has led many of our Community members into very difficult situations.
  1. Regulation of utilities, health and insurance services
    • As the Federal Government is well aware (as the issue dominated the election campaign), sectors such as utilities (water, electricity, gas), insurance and health have seen their costs increase from year to year more than the index. As a result, an increased portion of each retiree’s pension is available to meet these needs, resulting in a consistently reduced quality of life.

The Community adds that the Federal Government, with the help of state governments, should seek to better regulate utilities, health care and insurance to reduce and better manage continuous and excessive annual increases.

“This will have a minimal cost for the Federal Government. However, the benefits will be great and will be welcomed by all Australians, especially retirees and low-income earners,” the Community said.

“It will also mean that Australians will have additional funds to spend on the market, and to stimulate the economy by spending money on small shops / businesses that are the main employers in Australia.”

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Sydney shines as Greek Film Festival celebrates 30 years of cinema and culture

The 30th Greek Film Festival of Sydney opened in spectacular fashion on Tuesday night with Kapetan Mihalis.

Celebrate the 113th anniversary of Lesvos’ liberation at Mytilenian House in Sydney

The Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney and NSW is set to celebrate the 113th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Island of Lesvos.

Luncheon raises $95,000 for Holy Monastery of St John in Western Australia

The Greek Orthodox Diocese of Perth hosted a fundraising luncheon on Sunday, October 12, at the Archdiocese Conference Room in Dianella.

‘Kapetan Mihalis’ opens 30th Greek Film Festival in Melbourne

The 30th Greek Film Festival, presented by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), officially opened Tuesday, October 14.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos strengthens bilateral ties in Canberra

Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, has continued his official visit to Australia in Canberra.

You May Also Like

Remembering the life of Greek American Actor, Telly Savalas

Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas was an American actor that is best remembered for his role in the 1970's TV series, Kojak.

Opinion: Moria Camp, Europe’s Catch-22

Moria has been burnt to the ground and it is evident that no winners emerge from the ashes.

Gogglebox star Anastasia Katselas undergoes emergency cancer surgery

Gogglebox Australia personality Anastasia Katselas has revealed she underwent emergency surgery after being diagnosed with uterine cancer.