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.

 

[steamyjack]

My thoughts are with Marge.What makes this situation more disgraceful in my view,is something that is kept well and truly off the radar.And that is the unmitigated and unregulated looting and plundering of sections of our share market by overseas entities such as hedge funds,nominee companies, merchant banks Private Equity groups,etc. They have over the past twenty or so years, without let or hindrance from the market regulators who are supposed to make sure it doesn't happen, extracted BILLIONS of dollars from the Australian economy. If the regulators had done their job, tax revenue from this money would pay for [a] decent pensions, more schools and better funding for existing schools,[c] hospitals,[d] roads and bridges, and [e] last but not least[f]housing.I urge readers not to take my word for it, but do your own research.Google it and see the numerous articles that have been written over the years pointing it out.Why it has been ignored by both major parties,your guess is as good as mine but powerful entities don't seem to care which party is in government.Ignorance by the general populace of the importance of the share market to our everyday lives is certainly one reason. Anybody got Super? Get on to your local federal MP and ask them why this isn't being talked about.Tell them until they do something tangible and effective to remedy the situation,you'll be voting independent.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

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.

Half the people who are claiming to be Aboriginal are as white as you and me

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Half the people who are claiming to be Aboriginal are as white as you and me

Yes they are. The inbreeds are the troublesome ones I've found. And I know there are lots of them who claim aboriginality but are not.

 

[Shellface]

Both my husband and I are on the disability support pension as we each have our own poor health and associated costs. We're finding it harder and harder to get by

 

[Wombat2u2004]

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

Good idea. And also knock negative gearing on the head.
The pollies won't do it because it's a great deal if you have the bucks.
On average, politicians have about seven houses each using negative gearing as tax loophole.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Both my husband and I are on the disability support pension as we each have our own poor health and associated costs. We're finding it harder and harder to get by

I was selling Legacy badges outside one of my regional city supermarkets not long ago. An old lady, obviously a pensioner, came up to my stall and picked up a $2 badge to look at it. She placed it back in the tray and apologised to me that she couldn't buy it. She told me she always buys one once a year, but this year she said she had no money because her electricity bill of $900+ came in and she paid it and had no money left. It was just after one of our sever winters, so she probably had the heater on all the time to keep warm.

Our corrupt government has much to answer for.

 

[willywop]

I WORKED 7 DAYS A WEEK UP TILL I WAS 72 AT 64 IHAD T STROKES AT ONCE I SURVIVED THEM APPLIED FOR THE DISABILITY PENSION BUT WAS KNOCKED BACK FOR SAME SO KEPT WORKING ONCE I WAS ABLE THEY HAVE IDIOTS WORKING THERE WHO WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT A GOOD HARD DAYS WORK WAS IF IT BIT THEM ON THE BUM

 

[Meggzz]

We in Flinders have had enough! Many I know are seriously contemplating voting for Ben Smith. We need a change and hopefully he will bring fresh ideas and support the needs of all residents !

 

[Drew62]

they all promises good thing but when they get alected it all goes out the window it is the same in all governments they only care about their own pockets no one Esle we have enogh fuel rods to run the county electicity for like 100 years but the Government won;t make money form it so they will not do it same ole same ole BS

 

[Haka76]

Many of us here started to work before Superannuation came into being

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Yes they are. The inbreeds are the troublesome ones I've found. And I know there are lots of them who claim aboriginality but are not.

You are right, it is about time they were tested and had to have a full Aboriginal Mother to be able to claim anything, just like they do in the USA, not that I like too much about the USA but that rule I agree with. My god just imagine how much money would be saved culling the pretenders.

 

[Making Austr.sad again]

Do the politicians and government need so much pay rise 2x a year? Albo, Scomo? Do they need to send our taxpayers money overseas? Do we need to add migration people to our unemployment benefits? Are the old pensioners living under poverty line your burden? (Counting you wouldn’t be here if not them) Anyway, this sore in the eyes makes pensioners not to vote party which betrays them. They have also no other option than buy items cheaper (perhaps China) and abandon AUS made! Or is the crime the easiest escape for those desperate to get (prison) in exchange with the bed and food in it? Australia is not anymore the wealthiest country in the world. It’s the most unaffordable one! Does it tell you anything? I am not saying anything about the rich getting richer. Only the corrupted ones won’t read this and there we are: making Australia sad again!

 

[Luckyus]

Who can remember when the dole was an incentive to get up off your bloody arse and find sodding work instead of having it handed to you on a bastard platter?

 

[Ezzy]

Yes they are. The inbreeds are the troublesome ones I've found. And I know there are lots of them who claim aboriginality but are not.

So very true. Marry an Aboriginal lady or gent & claim all benefits. The % of Aboriginal bloodstock isn't taken into account when deciding on a person's eligibility. I saw many of those troublemakers spoken of in a previous occupation as a Prison Officer.

 

[Ezzy]

Who can remember when the dole was an incentive to get up off your bloody arse and find sodding instead of having it handed to you on a bastard platter?

Being on the dole used to be a shameful thing for many people who were unemployed.

Not so in today's times. This has become an easily accessible payment if people don't want to work. I had or have, not sure which now, a grandson who wouldn't work. He told is boss he was sick & his mother there was no work. A boss isn't going to put up with this behaviour. His father used to tell people how proud he was his son was working & learning different parts of a trade.

 

[Luckyus]

Being on the dole used to be a shameful thing for many people who were unemployed.

Not so in today's times. This has become an easily accessible payment if people don't want to work. I had or have, not sure which now, a grandson who wouldn't work. He told is boss he was sick & his mother there was no work. A boss isn't going to put up with this behaviour. His father used to tell people how proud he was his son was working & learning different parts of a trade.

There seems to be a correlation between Centrelink recipients and an Iron Lung?

 

[Ezzy]

There seems to be a correlation between Centrelink recipients and an Iron Lung?

As in 'couldn't work in an iron lung' perhaps?

 

[Luckyus]

As in 'couldn't work in an iron lung' perhaps?

Couldn't or Wouldn't why split hairs? (Unless they were Pubic)

 

[bluesbrother]

How about the underprivileged and under-financed (pensioners and other benefits recipients) stop attacking each other and their representatives, and instead collaborate to claw back funds from the overprivileged and the biggest bludgers on the national purse (the armed forces re AUKUS and mining companies and other multinationals that pay nothing) that are trying hard to buy this election, echoing what's going on in the USA. Maybe you remember there was an attempt at a party called Grey Power back in the 1980s but it ended up being run by extreme racists and far-right loonies that fought each other to a standstill in the 1990s. If the Teals can do it sensibly, why not the seniors, the unemployed and the under-employed? That's a pretty big slice of the population that need more help and the best way to get help has always been to help yourselves.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

So very true. Marry an Aboriginal lady or gent & claim all benefits. The % of Aboriginal bloodstock isn't taken into account when deciding on a person's eligibility. I saw many of those troublemakers spoken of in a previous occupation as a Prison Officer.

Betcha seen a lot of those behind bars.