Liberal Senator for New South Wales, Jim Molan has called on Labor to drop their lies about the cashless debit card which are only serving to drive up needless and unhealthy anxiety for senior Australians.
“Having gone to the last election with a plan to hit senior Australians with a $45 billion tax, Labor are now trying to mount a shameful and dishonest scare campaign against pensioners about the cashless debit card,” Senator Molan said.
“I can be absolutely clear that the Liberal National Government has no plan to force pensioners to the cashless debit card and will never have such a plan.
“I make no apology for calling out Labor’s lies. Senior Australians have worked hard and contributed to our economy for decades and don’t deserve to be taken advantage of in a shameless and desperate political stunt.
“In December 2020 the Morrison Government voted in the Senate with Rex Patrick and Jacqui Lambie to explicitly rule out forcing Age Pensioners on to the cashless debit card. Yet Labor voted against it.
“The Liberal National Government is proud to be doing more to help pensioners keep up with the cost of living.
“More than 23,000 recipients of the aged pension across the Paterson electorate will begin to benefit from a pension boost on Sunday.
“This will help them keep up with cost of living changes and is the largest increase to pensions since 2013.
From Sunday 20 March 2022, Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment rates will increase by $20.10 a fortnight for singles to $987.60 and by $30.20 a fortnight for couples combined to $1,488.80.
Asset test limits have also been increased which will allow more Paterson seniors to access a part pension. For example, the asset limit for a single homeowner has been boosted by $6,750 to $599,750 and for a homeowner couple by $10,000 to $901,500.
“The Liberal National Government’s strong and stable management of the economy ensures these payments and increases can be afforded so we can continue to guarantee incomes for pensioners across Paterson,” Senator Molan said.
ENDS