No Pensioner left behind

We request that:

1. That Male Full-time Adult Ordinary Time Average Weekly Earnings, replace Male Total Average Weekly Earnings as the benchmark to align with community living standards.

2. That the single age pension base level be set at 35% of that standard, and the couple rate shall be maintained at the current relativity.

3. That the current concept for six-monthly increases be maintained on that basis.

Why is this important?
We the undersigned call on the Australian Government to address the failure to maintain the Age Pension at a level that aligns to acceptable community living standards. Age pensioners are now living at or below the poverty line, because of obsolete statutory methods of calculating the six-monthly increases. This is significantly contributing to the rise in homelessness, malnutrition, isolation, and physical/mental health issues.

Subject to the March ‘23 pensions increase, at the May 2023 Budget the dollar amount of the Base Pension Rate for single pension must be lifted to $655/week and for couple pensioners, $769/week.