Press release
3 May 2011

Seniors look forward to Vic government’s budget promises

Victorian seniors have welcomed today’s Victorian budget announcement, in particular stamp duty cuts and the efforts to retain concessions for pensioners.

National Seniors Victorian state manager, Arnold Bates, said Victorian seniors were looking forward to seeing the outcomes of today’s budget commitments.

“We welcome the extension of the current electricity concessions to eligible households as well as water and sewerage concessions as we know pensioners in particular are struggling with the cost of living,’’ he said.

“Another good piece of news is the Land Transfer Duty concession for eligible pensioners and concession card holders will be lifted to $750,000 from 1 July 2011. This concession will be made available to Commonwealth Seniors Health Care card holders.”

A financial boost to palliative care, aged care and millions of dollars in investments in Box Hill and Frankston hospitals would also benefit seniors, Bates said.

Bates said strong investment in improving regional transport was also great news for the many seniors who had to travel to the city.

National Seniors Victoria is disappointed that the current Fire Services Levy was not replaced with a property based levy.


With a quarter of a million members Australia-wide, National Seniors is the consumer lobby for the over 50s. It is the fourth largest organisation of its type in the world.