PENSIONER CONCESSIONS

In reply to Mrs REDMOND (Heysen) (29 June 2009).

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Northern Suburbs, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability): A recent examination of the cost of four key household expenses between 2002 and 2008 showed that costs for energy, water, sewerage and council rates, calculated by 'average household' measures and 'average rates', increased by 31 per cent between 2002 and 2008. The maximum total package of State Government concessions available to aged pensioners in an 'average household' increased by 24 per cent in the same period.

In addition to the 24 per cent increase in State Government concessions, two new Commonwealth Government payments, the Utility Allowance and the Seniors Concession Allowance were introduced to support pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders. This is a further payment of $507 per annum.

The combined effect of these increases shows that the total package of State and Commonwealth Governments' support available to older South Australians for common household expenses has increased by 148 per cent since 2002, outstripping the 31 per cent increase in household costs for the same period.