The roar of the pension debate reaches Gilmore

Labor’s spokesperson for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said around 3,480 locals will be impacted by the cuts from New Years Day.

Approximately 2,500 pensioners will see an average cut of $130 a fortnight, and a further 980 local pensioners will lose their pension entirely.

Mrs Phillips said the Liberal Government are the grinches who stole christmas for pensioners.

“Pensioners and families already face huge financial pressures this holiday season,” she said.

“The last thing they need is a cut to their pension.”

“They are taking money off pensioners at Christmas while trying to give a $50 billion handout to big business and the banks.”

Mrs Phillips said she will continue to fight for a fair go for pensioners.

“Labor voted against this cut to pensioners in the Parliament and we will continue to fight.”

Federal Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis has hit out at the scare campaign targeting the region’s pensioners.

Mrs Sudmalis said the campaign is unwarranted as 90 per cent of pensioners will be better off or not affected by the changes to make the pension more sustainable.

“In 2015, we acted to make the pension more sustainable,” she said.

“We also lifted the assets test free area meaning around 170,000 Australians with modest levels of assets will access more age pension than before.”

Mrs Sudmalis is organising a series of forums across Gilmore in February to help clarify how the changes will impact pensioners.

“Pensions will still go up twice a year, every year, in line with the cost of living. There is no change to this,” she said.

“The family home will continue to be excluded from the pension assets test. There is no change to this.

“Australian pensioners and their families should not believe the scare campaign.”