The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

 

[Carol]

I know a pensioner whose rent has increased by $40 per week.

 

[Hongkongfambam]

Definitely not - my home and contents insurance increased by $80 a month as my suburb was zoned flood prone. $250 wouldn’t even cover the cost of petrol increases let alone other vital expenses

 

[Pameee]

Federal government announced $250 one-off cash payment for pensioners, advocacy groups slam the government for “insufficient” financial aid​

The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

It should be given as a permanent more substantial pension increase rather than one lump sum ... whilst a lump sum of $250 is of help its gone very quickly
The pension is too low in todays economy pensioners should not have to choose betweeh paying a bill ( especially rising energy bills) or putting food on the table
This government has no Idea how hard many pensioners find living with todays costs

 

[debstar28]

I think it’s not enough I was shocked when I heard how much we were getting not happy about it

 

[Fat&fancy]

Its an absolute joke, especially with fuel and grocery prices currently!

 

[Nugget]

Our landlord has just increased our rent from 360 a week to 430 a week. As both my wife and I are pensioners that's a big increase but something we just have to bare.

 

[Yubjuk]

What a joke, it won’t win my vote.

 

[Marny]

I'm on a DSP and a carer, because I'm on a DSP my carers allowance never goes up, we are now living in our car as due to Covid we had to put everything in a storage unit as the cost of living is just too high, and even living in our car with the cost of petrol is becoming unmanageable.

 

[Dizzy]

Might cover ridiculous food hikes for a week! Pensioners have been left to isolate and die during the past two years and with winter coming it’s scary.

 

[ann]

It wouldn't matter how much increase or bonus payment the government gave us, for some it would never be enough. The old saying "Cut your coat according to your cloth" comes to mind. I know of a few people who will accept it with glee and then feed it to a poker machine! I am thankful for any help.

 

[Stewart]

Federal government announced $250 one-off cash payment for pensioners, advocacy groups slam the government for “insufficient” financial aid​

The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Would politicians be happy with this one off payment? I don't think so. Funny how this has come about right on election time. Sorry but it's not enough to get my vote.

 

[Jagman1948]

Where do they come off with just this piddling amount of graft? We live day to day as it is. Going behind very quickly.

 

[susanneG]

Last time they did that pension payments didn’t rise the whole year. The one offs we received equaled the usual pension rise for the year. It’s just to make the government look good. It’s not near enough. The fortnightly rate should be risen to at least that per fortnight (minimum)

 

[shopping]

Federal government announced $250 one-off cash payment for pensioners, advocacy groups slam the government for “insufficient” financial aid​

The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

 

[Shane O'Neill]

Federal government announced $250 one-off cash payment for pensioners, advocacy groups slam the government for “insufficient” financial aid​

The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

No it it a vote buying con this isn't an investment in the elderly people pay taxes all their life to retire a lass the pension is a pittance compared to the cost of living

 

[Gatt]

I tell u that’s not enough every thing is dear and why is it that the people in the government they get a pension when they resign even dough they got essets and the people outsider from them if they got esetts they get no pension every country they still get the pension that stings why and than we get one off payment of $250 that smells give all the people a pension they all work like u in the government and they work hard and because they done that they have to use what they got to earn a pension that’s not fair be fair let them get a pension to like u do they are human being like u
thanks my governor help the people that work all their life to get somewhere not the blugers

kind regards
mrs hurt

 

[riskydave]

Federal government announced $250 one-off cash payment for pensioners, advocacy groups slam the government for “insufficient” financial aid​

The federal government unveiled its mid-year budget on Tuesday, just a few weeks from the upcoming federal election.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg reported the government's financial priorities, which include relief for the rising cost of living, a long-term economic plan that creates more jobs, investments in essential services, and stronger defence and national security.

The government also announced a one-off cash payment of $250 to about six million Australians who are pensioners and concession cardholders in a bid to aid them with the ongoing price hikes on essentials.

The federal government announced the one-off cash payment of $250 to Centrelink recipients, including pensioners and self-funded retirees. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Images.​

Other eligible recipients of the payment include carers, veterans, job seekers, and eligible self-funded retirees.

It was said that the federal government allocated a budget of $1.5 billion for the one-time payment, highlighting that the funds will automatically be paid out to recipients in April.

Additionally, disability support pension and carer payment rates were reported to increase by about $20 a fortnight for singles and $30 for couples.

It is expected that a similar increase will be observed again in September.

While some people consider the news a "win" for them, advocacy groups called out the government for the "insufficient" financial support.

Advocacy organisations National Seniors Australia and The Anti-Poverty Centre pointed out that the payments will "not have much long-term impact".

The Anti-Poverty Centre spokesperson Kristin O'Connell said: "People are talking about it being a week's rent, or a few weeks of groceries."

"It will do practically nothing."

Ms O'Connell also questioned the timing of the payment, saying that it is suspicious that the recipients will receive the payments by next month, just a few weeks ahead of the upcoming election.

"This payment is going into the pockets of six million people right before an election. It's very little money, but it's coming just before they go to the ballot box," she said.

Advocacy groups slammed the federal government for its “insufficient” financial support to pensioners and other Centrelink recipients. Credit: AAP.​

Meanwhile, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said that while pensioners would accept the cash payment, the amount is not enough to cover their needs.

"However, if a landlord increases rent by as little as $5 a week, this money is gone — and rent is only one example," he quipped.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the amount is enough to cover a pensioner's needs, especially with the ongoing price hikes? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

I am interested to know why the petrol excise was decreased by 22 cents or something and the service stations have dropped there price by 6 cents....the government can force them to drop it all the way but will not, useless the whole lot of them, and we are paying about 60 - 80 cents tax on fuel anyway.

 

[Singomate]

Let's label this $250.00 and give it's rightful title a sweetener a a vote getter, yes I'm happy to receive this money, I will put towards my savings so I can get the car serviced. But it is bloody insult to our intelligence, to say it is going to help with the cost of living , hope everyone has a great Easter

 

[DasherD]

The Government need to get their heads out of the sand. There are a number of people who will receive no assistance at all from the budget. They do not receive any of the current assistance from LMITO so haow does the Prime Minister and the Treasurer think they there will be assistence flow on to the people on Defence Pensions providing an income or people on slaary supplements, being receied because of illness or the inability to work.