A new poll has revealed the high levels of concern about any changes to the pension with more than 70%
of Australians against raising the pension age to 70.
The Essential Research poll released yesterday reveals:
• 71% or respondents disapprove of raising the pension age to 70;
• 72% believe that Australians should be able to receive the age pension at 65 or younger with only
10% happy to wait to 70; and
• 82% of those aged 55-64 disapprove of including the value of the family home in the assets test
for eligibility for the age pension.
Ian Yates, Chief Executive of leading seniors advocate COTA Australia, called on the Federal Government to acknowledge its clear pre-election promise to make no changes to the age pension and listen to the overwhelming opinions of the electorate.
“Mr Hockey continues to point first off to pensions and aged care needing to be cut because the budget is
in crisis and they are going to make it worse,” Mr Yates said.
“Yet the figures the Treasurer has released simply don’t support this.
“According to tables the Treasurer released yesterday from the Commission of Audit, GDP is rising at a
rate of 5.1% and government outlays only at the slightly higher 5.3% – pointing to the need for tightening
but not for major cuts to seniors living standards.
“Similarly, pensions are projected to rise at a rate of 6.2% – a modest and sustainable figure given the
sizeable rise in the numbers of older Australians in future years, about which we have known for a long
time – indeed the 2009 Pension Review, which had bi-partisan support, confirmed the age pension is
sustainable over coming decades.
“The Treasurer’s speech focused on expenditure but not on government revenue and we need to discuss
how government pays for the things taxpayers expect it to provide.
“Critically, the figures the Treasurer released leave out the generous tax concessions paid on compulsory
superannuation – which benefit the top income earners and are not paid to low income earners at all.
“An Australian Institute analysis released this week shows that superannuation concessions are higher
than the costs of the pension, so the question must be asked – why is the Treasurer intent on targeting
those who can least afford it, Australia’s pensioners?
“Australians see the age pension and provision of health and aged care as core business of government
and took the Government at its word at the last election.
“It’s time for a comprehensive and holistic look at retirement needs and the ageing population, not this
piecemeal approach which targets some people and not others,” Mr Yates said.
Media contact: Ian Yates 0418 835 439, Olivia Greentree 0439 411 774