NSW saved from pensioner concession cuts

Quite apart from the slow starvation cuts to pensions over time, there has been another insidious development that will cost as much or probably more than the change in indexation. It didn't even receive much media attention in the immediate hoopla following the budget, but has now come fair and square into the spotlight.

The budget also contains the cancellation of an agreement between the federal gov and the states for the funding of pensioner concessions. Obviously with all the other slashing and burning going on in the budget, the states have been left up shit creek without the proverbial paddle. The Abbott gov gave the states no warning about these cuts, even though they met with the state premiers only two weeks before. 

So far two states have cancelled the pensioner concessions entirely, Queensland and Western Australia. I'm pleased at least that representation has been made to the NSW state gov by pensioner groups on this matter, and thankfully we in NSW have been spared.

In a move to protect NSW pensioners and seniors, the 2014-15 NSW Budget includes an additional $107 million to continue concessions that were cut in the Federal Budget. 

Minister for Ageing John Ajaka said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government had committed one year’s worth of additional funding to ensure the state’s pensioners and seniors would not bear the brunt of harsh cuts to concessions while representations were made to the Federal Government. 

"A National Partnership agreement was axed without consultation in the Federal Budget, resulting in $450 million over four years being withdrawn for pensioner and senior concessions from July 1 this year," Mr Ajaka said. 

"To deliver such a budget shock to so many valued citizens in our community was tragic. The people who were going to be affected were some of our most vulnerable and that was unacceptable. 

"Funding this shortfall is a prime example of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government appreciating some of its most valued citizens by ensuring their benefits are protected. 

"Pensioners can now rest assured that they will maintain their concessions including reduced costs of travel on public transport, motor vehicle registration, land rates, energy bills and water." more

If the NSW gov did go ahead as QLD and WA have done, then I too would lose the concessions that I need to get by. Bus transport is a huge one, obviously I need it simply to function in modern life and get around. Electricity and phone is discounted by a bit, it all helps. Losing such concessions would have a huge impact on me.