Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Supporting Seniors in Parramatta

Joint Media Release with:

  • Julie Owens MP, Member for Parramatta

Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin and Federal Member for Parramatta Julie Owens today joined the Parramatta Greek Senior Citizens’ Club to talk about the boost in the pension and the start of the new Clean Energy Supplement.

“After a lifetime of work and giving back to the community, we believe that our senior Australians deserve support and security in retirement,” Ms Macklin said.

From 20 March, single pensioners on the maximum rate will receive an extra $35.80 per fortnight and pensioner couples on the maximum rate will receive an increase of $54.00 per fortnight combined.

With the increase, total pension payments for people on the maximum rate will be:

  • $808.40 a fortnight for singles, and
  • $1,218.80 a fortnight for couples combined.

“The Gillard Government is delivering for Parramatta’s pensioners, because we know they have limited room to move in their budgets,” Ms Macklin said.

“That’s why we have delivered the biggest boost to the pension in more than a century, improved the indexation system and have provided another pension increase with the new Clean Energy Supplement – part of the Household Assistance Package.

“In contrast, Tony Abbott and the Liberals have promised to claw back the $1 billion a year support Labor is delivering pensioners under the Household Assistance Package.

“This means every single pensioner in Australia would lose more than $350 a year and every pensioner couple would lose more than $530 a year under an Abbott Government.”

The new Clean Energy Supplement, which is part of the Household Assistance Package, will be paid fortnightly along with the pension from 20 March, at a rate of $13.50 per fortnight for singles and $20.40 a fortnight for couples combined.

Local member for Parramatta Julie Owens said Labor’s pension reforms and the new Clean Energy Supplement meant the maximum rate of the single pension was now $207 a fortnight higher than it was in September 2009.

“This latest boost will help make sure our local pensioners can keep on top of things when the bills arrive,” Ms Owens said.

“Local pensioners rely on this extra support from the Gillard Government, and they want to know why Tony Abbott wants to take it off them.”

The pension increase applies to people on Age Pension as well people receiving the maximum rate Disability Pension and Carer Payment, as well as veterans’ income support recipients.