THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Federal Member for Lingiari
SENATOR TRISH CROSSIN
Senator for the Northern Territory
20 March 2
Around 19,000 Territory pensioners will shortly receive an increased pension to help them make ends meet, Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon and Senator Trish Crossin said today.
From today, Territorians receiving age, disability and carer pensions, as well as veterans’ income support and disability compensation recipients, will receive a fortnightly boost in their pension as a result of indexation.
“Single pensioners on the maximum rate will receive an extra $6.70 a fortnight, and pensioner couples on the maximum rate will receive an extra $10.00 a fortnight combined,” Mr Snowdon said.
“As part of our historic pension reforms in 2009, we delivered the biggest increase to the pension in its 100 year history, and this boost gives our local pensioners a little extra to help manage their budget.”
Since 2009, Labor has delivered real increases to the maximum pension rate about $154 per fortnight for singles and about $156 per fortnight for couples combined.
Following the latest increase, total pension payments for people on the maximum rate, including the base rate and pension supplement, are:
- $755.50 a fortnight for singles, and
- $1,139.00 a fortnight for couples combined.
Senator Crossin said Labor’s reforms to the pension system ensures the pension keeps up with living costs across the Northern Territory and around the country.
"Labor understands that pensioners have the least room to move in their budgets which is why it’s so important that when the cost of living goes up, the pension goes up to match it.”
“In Government, we’ve delivered for pensioners in the Northern Territory and we’ll keep delivering to make sure they get the fair go they deserve.”
From May, the Federal Government is also increasing payments to pensioners as part of the clean energy future package.
Single pensioners will receive an increase of about $338 per year, and pensioner couples will receive an increase of about $510 per year combined.
“Sadly, the Leader of the Opposition and the Coalition voted against this increase, and a Coalition Government would claw back every cent paid to those already doing it tough,” Mr Snowdon said.
Media Contact: (Minister Snowdon) Lidija Ivanovski 0407 108 935
(Senator Crossin) Carla Fernandes 0407 619 383