Queenslanders are being encouraged to share the love with the state's unsung older heroes this Grandparents Day.
Seniors Minister Craig Crawford said Grandparents Day (Sunday 30 October 2022) was all about recognising grandparents for the care, support, knowledge, and traditions they pass on to younger generations.
It comes with the launch of a new Smart Savings website where Queensland Seniors can quickly identify a list of potential savings they may be eligible for to take the strain off household budgets.
"Grandparents – mostly baby boomers - are the heart and soul of our communities,'' Mr Crawford said.
"They are the unsung heroes who provide significant emotional support for family members, some also provide financial and practical assistance.
"I encourage you to visit www.qld.gov.au/seniors for more ideas about ways to share the love and thank your grandparents this Sunday."
Seniors are the bedrock of the nation's unpaid givers – the child minders, carers and the volunteers – where one in every four carers is aged over 65, according to the latest 2021 census.
Mr Crawford said easing cost-of-living pressures for seniors was a top priority for the Palaszczuk Government.
"We cannot solve problems like the war in Europe, but we are doing what we can and recognise the impacts are hitting hard,'' he said.
He said a retired couple in their seventies living in their own home in Brisbane with no dependents, with Seniors Cards and on the pension is eligible for a $372 electricity rebate, a $120 water rebate, a $200 rates rebate and an $81 rebate for reticulated natural gas.
They would also receive around $170 discount on car registration and the $175 cost of living rebate on the current electricity bill.
And they are entitled to discounted travel on public transport saving 50% on fares.
"This is the Palaszczuk Government putting more than $1100 back into the pockets of eligible Queensland Seniors,'' he said.
Mr Crawford said Grandparents Day was celebrated annually on the last Sunday of Queensland Seniors Month.
"This year we had more than 1500 Queensland Seniors Month events with more than 100 Queensland organisations awarded grants of up to $1000 to support events and initiatives throughout Queensland," he said.
Queensland Rail Executive General Manager Regional Operations Louise Collins said Grandparents Day was a great reminder for seniors to explore entitlements available to them year-round for long-distance travel across Queensland.
"We love to see Queenslanders using our rail services, and with the entitlements and discounts available to seniors, it makes the enjoyable long-distance rail travel highly affordable," Ms Collins said.
Check out the new Smart Savings website for more www.qld.gov.au/smartsavings
