The following is a statement by the president (Victoria) Joe Montero on behalf of and endorsed by the Steering Committee of Fair Go For Pensioners
The announced new age pension rise coming in effect on 20 March is being used to pretend that this group of pensioners are getting good deal. The truth is that they are still being cheated. The new base rate of $510 per week, or $8.80 for singles and $14.70 for couples, does little to address years of neglect. This miserly rise is an equivalent of two cups of coffee and a newspaper and does little to correct years of decline. Continue reading Latest Age Pension increase is an insult that does almost nothing to address years of neglect→
The Holmes Royal Commission has produced a damning report on Robodebt and presented 57 recommendations Robodebt has been confirmed as one of the biggest scandals in Australia history. Maybe it doesn’t offer a clear alternative. But at least it does help shine a torch on a great injustice and found that it was illegal. Continue reading Royal Commission shines torch on Robodebt injustice→
Despite the release of Labor’s own report calling on a substantial lift to Jobseeker and Youth allowance payments, the Albanese government seems to be in no mood to listen. The report calls for a boost in rental assistance, and it argues that there must be a change in thinking of the definition of full employment. It currently refers to anyone who has worker an hour in the week of the used unemployment survey. Continue reading Government report calls for increasing Jobseeker and Youth Allowance→
This is a statement just released (27 September 2022) by Joe Montero the Victorian President of Fair Go For Pensioners. It has been published on the organisation’s website. The statement calls out the inadequacy of the Age Pension and calls for it to be lifted from, poverty level to where it can provide for an adequate life and dignity. and announces that Fair Go For Pensioners is launching a campaign to unite forces to bring this about.
The Morrison government’s decision to start withdrawing emergency support is a kick in the teeth for those who find themselves out of work because of Covid. Contrast this with the generous loan facility to be set up for mining projects, and protection against loss from real estate promised to banks, and other lending institutions. This comes on top of generous handouts already given to mates. Continue reading COVID payments to end and this will hurt Australia→
The LIFE campaign held its first online tutorial on 6 June. It concerned the Cashless Welfare Card, what it’s doing to people put on it and the plan to roll it out to all pensioners, people on disability, the unemployed single parents, and students. This is a major crackdown on the most vulnerable sections of the community, and it takes away basic rights as a citizen of Australia. Continue reading Video: Cashless Welfare Debit Cards: Lived experience and other facts and stats→
The government is fighting hard to prevent the disclosure of documents that stand to expose the political nature of the Robo Debt program. Allegations that the creation of debt was deliberately engineered to discourage applying for benefits. These documents may shed some light on his. Luke Henriques-Gomeswrites (The Guardian 23 June 2021) about IT expert Justin Warren, who has been fighting to get them.
