Answers to Questions

PENSIONERS

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (28 October 2010) (First Session).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): I am advised:

The former Minister for Families and Communities received correspondence from the Federal Minister and prepared a response which reinforced the decision announced in the 2010-11 State Budget.

The one-off increase to single pensioners was announced in May 2009 to be introduced in September 2009. As part of the 2010-11 State Budget, all spending and subsidies were reviewed and the government came to the view that it could no longer afford this additional subsidy to a particular group of tenants. The assessment of the one-off increase impacted rents from 14 May 2011, approximately 20 months after the introduction of the increase. After the assessment, single pensioners still retain $50 of the $65 per fortnight that was included in the one-off increase.

State Governments in Western Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales are also now assessing the one-off increase in their calculation of rent. Victoria and the Northern Territory are currently reviewing their decision.