In a place often seen as thriving, it's easy to overlook the quiet challenges many continue to face.

For some, making ends meet remains a constant struggle, especially those depending on support systems to get by.

Ongoing discussions about financial assistance have left many feeling left out and unheard.

The current state of Centrelink payments is a pressing issue for many, especially older Australians who have spent their lives contributing to the nation's economy.

Marge, a retiree who voiced her concerns on the ABC program Q&A, encapsulates the sentiment of many when she questions how older Aussies are expected to get by on the current Age Pension.

'How can the government expect us to believe that they know everyone is doing it tough when the latest pension increase for a couple equates to 25 cents per day each?' she said.

Calls to raise Centrelink payments were rejected despite rising costs and community appeals. Credit: Facebook

'Every bill we pay has risen significantly... actions definitely speak louder than words in this situation.'

The disparity between their financial resources and the cost of living is growing wider for those on a fixed income.

Many people share Marge's frustration. They feel that after a lifetime of working and paying taxes, they should not have to pinch pennies in their twilight years.

JobSeeker, another critical Centrelink payment, has also been under scrutiny.

The recent increase of $3.10 per fortnight has been met with dismay, as it does little to alleviate recipients' financial strain.

Economist Nicki Hutley points out that investing in JobSeeker not only benefits the recipients but also the community at large.

According to recent modelling, every additional dollar invested in JobSeeker generates a $1.25 return through healthier individuals, reduced government payments, and improved productivity.

The government's Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has recommended increasing JobSeeker to 90 per cent of the Age Pension, raising the fortnightly payment from $781.10 to $942.39.

This suggestion, however, has been met with resistance from both major political parties.

Despite the clear benefits, politicians have reaffirmed their stance against increasing the payment, citing budget constraints and the challenge of raising taxes to fund social benefits.

The debate has brought to light the broader issue of prioritising government spending.

Richard Denniss from The Australia Institute offers a provocative perspective, highlighting the billions of dollars in fossil fuel subsidies and the colossal investment in the AUKUS submarine deal as areas where funds could be reallocated to support the country's most vulnerable.

As we navigate these challenging times, we must remember that behind the statistics and political debates are real people struggling to afford necessities.

The question remains: How can one of the wealthiest nations in the world justify not providing adequate support to those in need?

We at the Seniors Discount Club believe a society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members.

It's time for a serious conversation about our national priorities and how we can ensure that every Australian has the means to live with dignity.

In other news, millions across the country received a boost to certain support payments from 20 March, affecting various forms of assistance.

These adjustments were part of a regular review tied to shifts in living costs and broader economic factors. You can read more about it here.

Key Takeaways

• Labour and the Coalition have rejected calls to increase Centrelink payments, despite rising cost of living pressures and community group pleas.
• Retirees and JobSeeker recipients have expressed frustration at the modest increases, which they claim are insufficient for meeting basic needs.
• Economist Nicki Hutley suggested that increasing JobSeeker could lead to positive community outcomes, with a good return on investment.
• Political debate continues regarding social security payment levels, with suggestions of reallocating funds from areas such as fossil fuel subsidies to support vulnerable Australians.

Have you or someone you know been affected by the lack of increase in Centrelink benefits? How has this impacted your daily life? Your stories are powerful and can help bring about change. Let's start the conversation in the comments below.

 

[TIG2]

Sadly there are many young people and yes we have one in the family who's attitude is why should I work when I can get money for free. This will be a huge drain on this country. We desperately need to build the defence forces, so why not an ultimatum up to 25 you work, study, or you are in the military. Now I am not saying send them off to conflicts overseas, but they can be the back up home support for regular troops who can be sent overseas. The military teaches discipline and respect, it can also teach a trade. There are many jobs that people on job seeker wont do, like picking fruit. It is the elderly who have worked all their lives who need a substantial increase in their pensions.

 

[Tugnets37]

the recent pension increase is an insult to all of us who worked up until retirement, paid all our taxes, medicare, fuel tax etc. The pension is NOT a handout we worked for our pension. Most of the people on benefits these days have never done a days work in their lives, never paid medicare levey, income tax etc. Most job seekers will not take a job as their attitude is why should we go and work when we get all this money for staying at home. They should all be put in the forces and make them work for their money.
Very disappointed with the government and the way they are treating pensioners.

 

[kaybe]

It's about time the Federal Government paid back retirees the money they put into general revenue from the Age Pension fund that workers paid in from their wages. This Tax was separate from the general tax on wages! We are not Welfare Recipients!

 

[macca4949]

If the pretend "corporate" government in Canberra stopped sending 100,s of millions of taxpayer dollars overseas and looked after Australians first, we would be better off. And also, reduce the size of their "corporate" government by 90%.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

the recent pension increase is an insult to all of us who worked up until retirement, paid all our taxes, medicare, fuel tax etc. The pension is NOT a handout we worked for our pension. Most of the people on benefits these days have never done a days work in their lives, never paid medicare levey, income tax etc. Most job seekers will not take a job as their attitude is why should we go and work when we get all this money for staying at home. They should all be put in the forces and make them work for their money.
Very disappointed with the government and the way they are treating pensioners.

OMG someone else who thinks these lazy entitled little so and so's should be made to get off their backsides and do something to earn their keep, and you are RIGHT there are so many of them who will never work because they get plenty to live on, ( did not say all ). How dare they put job seeker payments up and not Pensioners, at least they do have the means to get a job (if they want it ), Pensioners on the other hand have done their time and should be paid the MINIMUM Wage, it does not have to go up like wage increases do but we really need enough to actually enjoy our Retirement not scrimp and save to get by.

 

[waggadragon1]

just a thought get rid of the inflated public service and with that saving alone pensioners could get a greater increase than 25 cents

 

[davephil]

The minimum wage is $915.90 per week. Base pension without any allowances is

$ 396.25 each per couple. Latest pension increase is based on CPI but doesn't help when costs are constantly rising. I did write to my local MP re this - and so far, No reply - why doesn't that surprise me.

 

[Huxley]

Such a disgrace that Labor puts on 36,000 new public servants who mainly work from home. He cannot justify what they do. We Pensioners on the other hand who have made the country it once waa are now struggling to make ends meet
By just giving a $3.60 increase pf to each Pensioner when everything has gone up 30 per cent. These politicians will never do it tough as when they retire they receive a huge pension that allows them to live the life of Riley for ever more. Such a disgrace.

 

[HelenB55]

All the Local MP’s don’t want to hear what you have to say. I have written numerous times to our Local MP as well….but I think all mail from Seniors is shredded….. nothing to see here
Bill Shorten WAS our local MP & I wrote 3 letters to him. Never heard a single word back from him….so what’s he point in writing to them in the 1st place?
They don’t want to hear from us as we are a burden to them….
So very sad…..

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Sadly there are many young people and yes we have one in the family who's attitude is why should I work when I can get money for free. This will be a huge drain on this country. We desperately need to build the defence forces, so why not an ultimatum up to 25 you work, study, or you are in the military. Now I am not saying send them off to conflicts overseas, but they can be the back up home support for regular troops who can be sent overseas. The military teaches discipline and respect, it can also teach a trade. There are many jobs that people on job seeker wont do, like picking fruit. It is the elderly who have worked all their lives who need a substantial increase in their pensions.

Yes, I agree with military conscription. As war veteran myself I can honestly say that the training we received is much benefit to the country and one's own wellbeing.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Yes, I agree with military conscription. As war veteran myself I can honestly say that the training we received is much benefit to the country and one's own wellbeing. But Gough changed all of that, didn't he? No wonder we threw him out on his ear.

 

[dian.mccal]

Until we stop giving people who are capable of working money for nothing and change people’s opinion that retirees/older people are a burden nothing will change. People power is the greatest voice. Older Australians and people who have the means like radio hosts, TV presenters and even this news letter need to join forces to make a noise that the politicians will listen to. Look what the people in Paris did when the government wanted to change the retirement age.
Our problem in Australia is that we want someone else to fight our care or we say “it will be ok mate”

 

[Zorro56]

Government itself is too big. Australia with a population of around 27 million does not need 3 levels of government. That is where the waste is! But once people are in the government system (and I am not talking about ordinary public servants here) they are harder to eradicate than termites. They always protect their own jobs, conditions and perks first, above all else. The only time they care about the ordinary pensioner, is if they believed it would affect their vote at the election. Unfortunately, most older people are not swinging voters so the major parties believe they can count on our votes no matter how they treat us.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Maybe if the government jacked up GST to 15% and used that revenue to ensure pensioners get a fair deal.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Government itself is too big. Australia with a population of around 27 million does not need 3 levels of government. That is where the waste is! But once people are in the government system (and I am not talking about ordinary public servants here) they are harder to eradicate than termites. They always protect their own jobs, conditions and perks first, above all else. The only time they care about the ordinary pensioner, is if they believed it would affect their vote at the election. Unfortunately, most older people are not swinging voters so the major parties believe they can count on our votes no matter how they treat us.

I know that after the last massive pay rise given to Federal Public Servants by Albo, they are mostly if not all getting 6 figure salaries.

 

[vivray]

I appreciate that the un-employed need assistance but not to the degree of the aged or dissability pensions
have children so they receive a govt., pension and they do not have to work. The system needs a huge overhaul and the pensions need to be allocated in order of need and earnt. Start thinking how our forefathers thought, our government was more honest and reliable without the need to argue over who is fit to rule. It should be the people who elect our leaders, it is about time the politicians worked for their pay. You work for Australia and the people not your pockets.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

I knew an NDIS worker in my regional city who told me that a single mum rents a house and has 4 children, which she says all have a disability. This NDIS worker used to visit them a lot to see how they were going etc etc, which was his job as she was one of his clients. He told me that there was nothing wrong with the mum or the children, and that she gets $140,000 a year from the government. And no, she is not aboriginal, she's as white as me.

 

[Toyochr]

I think the government should give retiring MP’s the same pension as everyone else gets.No lurks and perks and they have to have a financial assessment as well.After all they feather their own nest all the time they are in office and most are rich in their own right Treat people equally no matter who they are.Millions of dollars could be saved and redirected to the needy and other worthy projects.Also stop giving criminals a life of luxury.They have done the crime make them pay for it.Bring back the road gangs.It would create more employment and our roads could use the attention

 

[Keiffo 1950]

As a renting pensioner I am doing it tough iknow that I am not the only one, I know this government has looked after us in the past but, now is when we need help, rent and bills and food take a huge chunk out of the pension, so Mr Prime Minister stand up to what you keep telling us nobody will be left behind