Connect 230
14 July 2011
National Seniors Australia chief executive, Michael O’Neill, said: “The government has been generous in compensating pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders with a Clean Energy Supplement projected to be over and above the cost-of-living impact of the carbon tax”.
“We are concerned, however, that while they may benefit from tax cuts a single self funded retiree on an income of $51,000 or a couple on $81,000 a year will not receive cost-of-living assistance”.
“The extent to which this impacts on these retirees will depend on the arrangement of their financial affairs.”
“As debate rages around whether $150,000 a year constitutes a middle-income Australian family, a single self-funded retiree on $51,000 is deemed wealthy enough to resist the price impacts of a carbon tax,” O’Neill said.
Retirees below age pension age (65) also miss out.
“Retirees on fixed incomes have very little capacity to adjust to unforeseen price increases. Many are already struggling with basic living costs,” he said.
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card entitles low income retirees to cheaper medicines and help with utilities. However, despite rising living costs the card’s income limits of $50,000 for singles and $80,000 for couples have not increased since 2001.
Pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders will receive a Clean Energy Supplement of $338 (singles) and $510 (couples) annually, starting March 2013; and a tax free lump sum advance payment of $250 in May 2012.
A Port Stephens pensioner reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Australian Government arranging carbon tax compensation.
NSW Minister for Fair Trading Anthony Roberts said the scammer told the pensioner she would receive $5000 in compensation to assist with the increase in costs and charges associated with the carbon tax.
She was then asked if she wanted to receive the compensation by cheque or direct deposit but thankfully did not reveal her bank account details.
Mr Roberts said consumers should be on the lookout for carbon tax scams.
“They trade in deception and unscrupulously prey on vulnerable people. These callers are often indiscriminate so everyone should be on the lookout,” he said.
To report a scam, contact the Office of Fair Trading in your state.
The new service engages an interpreter to help older people from non-English speaking backgrounds communicate on health and aged care matters.
The new service will include on-site visits and telephone interpreting services and services will be available around the clock for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Cultural awareness training for aged care staff was also being offered.
"Communication barriers can mean these older Australians may not receive timely care and support which can lead to poorer health outcomes and increased isolation,” Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler said.
"These services will ensure that language or culture do not act as barriers to receiving high quality aged care,” he added.
The new translation service comes just two weeks after National Seniors released a major report titled The Ageing Experiences of Australians from Migrant Backgrounds which outlines cultural and language issues in aged care homes.
Retirees across Australia are needed to complete two online 30-minute surveys over a one-month period.
Click here to find out more and register by completing the survey online before 15 July.
Whilst the carbon tax is directed at 500 companies who pollute the heaviest, there will be flow-on effects to the rest of Australia.
The topic is divisive: some say Australia must get tough on climate change to protect our future; others say climate change is just a scam and gives the Government another reason to drain hard-working Australians’ taxes.
What do you think?
Have your say on the blog.
Self funded retirees forgotten in carbon tax compensation
Australians aged over 65 who don’t receive the age pension or hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card will miss out on the carbon tax household payments announced on Sunday.National Seniors Australia chief executive, Michael O’Neill, said: “The government has been generous in compensating pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders with a Clean Energy Supplement projected to be over and above the cost-of-living impact of the carbon tax”.
“We are concerned, however, that while they may benefit from tax cuts a single self funded retiree on an income of $51,000 or a couple on $81,000 a year will not receive cost-of-living assistance”.
“The extent to which this impacts on these retirees will depend on the arrangement of their financial affairs.”
“As debate rages around whether $150,000 a year constitutes a middle-income Australian family, a single self-funded retiree on $51,000 is deemed wealthy enough to resist the price impacts of a carbon tax,” O’Neill said.
Retirees below age pension age (65) also miss out.
“Retirees on fixed incomes have very little capacity to adjust to unforeseen price increases. Many are already struggling with basic living costs,” he said.
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card entitles low income retirees to cheaper medicines and help with utilities. However, despite rising living costs the card’s income limits of $50,000 for singles and $80,000 for couples have not increased since 2001.
Pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders will receive a Clean Energy Supplement of $338 (singles) and $510 (couples) annually, starting March 2013; and a tax free lump sum advance payment of $250 in May 2012.
Be aware of carbon tax scammers
Elderly people have already become a target of a new telephone scam offering compensation for the carbon tax.A Port Stephens pensioner reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Australian Government arranging carbon tax compensation.
NSW Minister for Fair Trading Anthony Roberts said the scammer told the pensioner she would receive $5000 in compensation to assist with the increase in costs and charges associated with the carbon tax.
She was then asked if she wanted to receive the compensation by cheque or direct deposit but thankfully did not reveal her bank account details.
Mr Roberts said consumers should be on the lookout for carbon tax scams.
“They trade in deception and unscrupulously prey on vulnerable people. These callers are often indiscriminate so everyone should be on the lookout,” he said.
To report a scam, contact the Office of Fair Trading in your state.
New translation service for aged care residents
National Seniors welcomes the government’s move to offer translation services and on-site interpreters to older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in aged care homes.The new service engages an interpreter to help older people from non-English speaking backgrounds communicate on health and aged care matters.
The new service will include on-site visits and telephone interpreting services and services will be available around the clock for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Cultural awareness training for aged care staff was also being offered.
"Communication barriers can mean these older Australians may not receive timely care and support which can lead to poorer health outcomes and increased isolation,” Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler said.
"These services will ensure that language or culture do not act as barriers to receiving high quality aged care,” he added.
The new translation service comes just two weeks after National Seniors released a major report titled The Ageing Experiences of Australians from Migrant Backgrounds which outlines cultural and language issues in aged care homes.
Retirement study- last chance
Participants are still required for a study conducted at UNSW and funded by the National Seniors Australia Productive Ageing Centre aimed at improving retirement adjustment using on-line training interventions.Retirees across Australia are needed to complete two online 30-minute surveys over a one-month period.
Click here to find out more and register by completing the survey online before 15 July.
Carbon Tax- your say
On Sunday Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the Government was putting a price on pollution by introducing a $23 per tonne carbon tax.Whilst the carbon tax is directed at 500 companies who pollute the heaviest, there will be flow-on effects to the rest of Australia.
The topic is divisive: some say Australia must get tough on climate change to protect our future; others say climate change is just a scam and gives the Government another reason to drain hard-working Australians’ taxes.
What do you think?
Have your say on the blog.
In this section
Login to update your details, renew membership or make a donation.