National Seniors today launched its 2019-20 Budget Submission calling on the government to redress decades of neglect.
Recommendations included: setting the pension rate independent of government; increasing assistance for private renters; supporting access to online services; expanding dental care for pensioners; helping pensioners with energy costs; and unlocking the productive wealth of the family home.
National Seniors Chief Advocate, Ian Henschke said Australians wanted a fair-go for pensioners and the submission recommendations provided practical ways to ensure their standard of living kept pace with community expectations.
"The aged care royal commission has focused attention on Australia's failure to support vulnerable older people," Mr Henschke said.
"We are also failing our pensioners, and our Budget Submission recommendations are an investment that can curtail future public spending on the ageing population."
Age Pension Tribunal
An Age Pension Tribunal should independently set the Age Pension rate to take the politics out of the pension.
Mr Henschke said the pension had become a target for budget cuts with younger taxpayers being told they are bearing the tax burden to support seniors.
