DEBUS HIGHLIGHTS BATHURST PENSIONER LIVING PRESSURES June 17, 2007

The Federal Labor candidate for Macquarie, Bob Debus, today called on Prime Minister John Howard to rise above party politics and support a Senate inquiry into the cost of living for older Australians.

Mr Debus said Bathurst members of the Combined Pensioner and Superannuants Association had expressed concerns about the rising cost of living.

“Just in the last week, CPSA members in Bathurst told me they are finder it harder to make ends meet,” said Mr Debus.

“People are struggling with the high cost of food, dental care, home heating, insurance and transport back to Sydney to see friends and family.

“Bathurst aged pensioners and superannuants are also saying that the GST has made life is much more difficult.

“It is time Mr Howard’s Government recognised the problem and put party politics aside.

“We are a rich country and our older citizens should enjoy the prosperity they created for all of us - not feel they are caught in a financial vice.”

Labor’s proposed Terms of Reference for the Senate inquiry into the cost of living for pensioners and self-funded include:

1 The impact of recent movements in the price of essentials such as petrol and food
2 The costs of running household utilities such as gas and electricity
3 The cost of receiving adequate dental care
The inquiry would also examine the impact of cost pressures on the ability of older Australians to participate in the community, and the adequacy of tax, pension and concession arrangements.

“After 11 years in power, Mr Howard has lost touch with the 2.5 million older Australians who are under pressure from the spiralling cost of living,” said Mr Debus.

“Aged pensioners and self-funded retirees need this chance to tell the Senate how they make ends meet every day.

“Mr Howard said recently that Australian families have never been better off, but this is just not true for many older people in Bathurst who have limited means but still have to meet the high cost of petrol, home heating and groceries.

“And skyhigh childcare fees often leave many older people with no choice but to care for their grandchildren.”