09/12/2016
Peter Khalil, Member for Wills, says around 1,840 local pensioners face significant cuts to their pension from New Year’s Day because of cuts made by the Turnbull Government in a deal made with the Greens party.
Around 1,370 Wills pensioners will see an average cut to their pension of $128 a fortnight.
A further 470 local pensioners will lose their pension entirely, leaving them on average worse off by $205 a fortnight.
Peter Khalil said Malcolm Turnbull is the Grinch who Stole Christmas for local pensioners.
“Pensioners and families already face huge financial pressures this holiday season and the last thing they need is a cut to their pension.
“Labor voted against this cut to pensioners in the Parliament and we will continue to fight for a fair go for pensioners.”
“Cutting the pension shows how out of touch Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberals really are. They are taking money off pensioners at Christmas while trying to give a $50 billion handout to big business and the banks,” Khalil said.
Pensioners who are concerned about how the Government’s changes to the pension assets test will affect them are urged to contact Centrelink Financial Information Services on 132 300.