April 1, 2009
Locals are being asked to send a message to the Prime Minister to make sure the Government doesn’t back away from its promises to increase pension rates.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has sent out 55,000 pre-written postcards calling for an increase in pensions, including Disability Support Pensions and payments for carers.
The postcards will be inserted into Gippsland newspapers this week.
“All that’s required is for locals to provide their name and contact details and then return the postcards Reply Paid,” Mr Chester said.
“I am calling on the community to help me keep the Government accountable and make sure pensioners receive a permanent increase in the coming budget.”
Mr Chester said everyone from the Prime Minister down has admitted that they couldn’t survive on current pension rates.
“As a nation, we can’t afford to ignore the plight of pensioners any longer and I will continue to fight for a fair go for all,” Mr Chester said.
“The question is not how this can be factored into the budget, it is whether a wealthy nation can live with itself if it continues to neglect the basic needs of so many people.”
Mr Chester said the Government had promised to permanently increase pension rates in the coming budget and it was important to maintain the pressure to make sure the promises were honoured.
“Pensioners should not be the ones who miss out in the May budget,” Mr Chester said.
“It is not acceptable to put pensioners on the back-burner once again until financial times improve.
“The Government must honour its promises and provide a permanent increase in pension rates, including carer payments, as part of this year’s budget.”