Federal Budget

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:33): I rise to draw attention to the axing of pensioner and senior concessions proposed in the federal budget. While this is a federal measure—and a callous measure, too—like so many in this budget these cuts will have an enormous impact on the elderly, poor and vulnerable in all states and territories, including many thousands of South Australians. That is why I am focusing on this important issue today.

Until now, a wide range of concessions have been available to pensioners and seniors through state and local government authorities. Among these are land, water and sewerage rate concessions, energy cost concessions and public transport concessions. Under the 2013-16 National Partnership Agreement on Certain Concessions for Pensioner Concession Card and Seniors Card Holders, the commonwealth agreed to fund states and territories to support these concessions. But, now the federal government intends to terminate the agreement on 1 July this year, with $1.3 billion in savings estimated over four years. The Australian parliament's own budget review 2014-15 index acknowledges that:

It is likely that, without this financial assistance, many concessions currently available will be withdrawn or reduced.

It adds:

Any changes will raise the cost of living for pensioners and retirees, particularly in terms of energy and transport costs.

It seems that the federal Coalition is supremely comfortable with the outcome predicted. As Treasurer Joe Hockey (or should I call him Smoking Joe?) said lately, when asked about this very issue, the federal government is not in the business of subsidising visits to Hoyts and Myer.

If only visits to Hoyts or Myer were part of the scenario for the average pensioner. There is not a lot of pleasure to be had when every dollar has to be stretched that little bit further. Under this budget dollars will need to be even more elastic. A rise in fuel excise means a rising cost of living not only for those pensioners and seniors who have cars but for all who buy food that is trucked across the country—using, you guessed it, fuel—to fill our supermarket shelves. That is, if they can afford to get to the supermarket with no public transport concession, to buy food on a pension that is set to be indexed to the lower CPI, and to cook that food using full-priced electricity or gas under a roof that they might well be struggling financially to keep over their heads.

It is estimated that axing these concessions will mean council rates could increase by up to $200. Water bills could increase by up to $295 and energy bills could increase by up to $275. It is enough to make you feel sick, so let us talk about the proposed $7 co-payment to go to the doctor. Mr Hockey might equate that to a couple of middies or a few cigarettes—though not to the cost of one Cuban cigar, which I gather can be up to $70—but trivialising the cost of health for pensioners and seniors like that just shows the contempt of this federal government for a cohort to whom we, as a community, should be showing our appreciation and our gratitude.

I empathise with those in our community who are doing it tough, particularly our pensioners. As a councillor at the Port Adelaide Enfield council I actively supported council's initiative to provide a concession to pensioners on its own council rates, something that many other councils do not do. If the federal government's cutting of this national partnership agreement passes into law, the hole in our state budget will be $30 million a year, every cent of that a hit to older South Australians. That, Mr President, along with this cold and pitiless budget, I reject.