With upcoming election looming I recently took some questions to Parliamentary Members contesting various seats at a political forum The question was in short, WHY ARE SINGLE PENSIONERS on $300 a week LESS THAN THE MINIMUM WEEKLY WAGE of $915.40 per week approximately ( which all politicians agree that the minimum wage if bordering on the poverty line) And single pension is $574.50
I gave ALL details to these politicians and only one responded to my Questions that included all our discounts we receive on the pension ie gas, water electricity, rates and rego etc etc .
The response was that it “made very interesting reading and that us pensioners should all get together and put our case up to our local constituents”.
At the forum they read my question out and they ALL TWISTED it around to what they were going to do for aged care and get increased wages for people working in aged care.
This was not my question…MY QUESTION WAS …” WHY ARE PENSIONERS SOMFAR BELOE THE POVERTY LINE AFTER WORKING AND CONTRIBUTING TAXES FOR WELL OVER 50 years ……
Any suggestions on what, or how to address this ongoing issue for the FORGOTTEN BABY BOOMERS?
REGARDS . RON HEWSON.