Local Government News

Larry Anthony
National News

Alstonville RSL grant

I was delighted to be informed last week that the Alstonville RSL sub-branch will receive $11,458 from the Coalition Government's Veteran and Community Grants program to assist with the establishment of its Tibouchina Day Care Club.

The club provides a range of activities for senior citizens from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. each Wednesday at the RSL club's hall in Bugden Avenue.

It is staffed by local club volunteers.

Included among the activities are gentle exercise routines, guest speakers and entertainment acts, singing, games and morning tea and lunch.

More importantly for some members it is one of the few opportunities they have each week to get out and meet other people.

Judging by the smiles all around when I visited the club recently it has an important role to play within the community and I wish it well for the future.

Veteran and Community Grants help develop projects that provide practical support to members of the veteran community.

Pensions boost

Pensioners now have that little extra in their back pocket from September following the latest rise in pensions announced today by the Coalition Government.

The latest increases mean that a single pensioner could receive up to an extra $325 a year and each member of a pension couple receive up to an extra $273 a year.

That extra money can be very hand when it comes to paying a rates, electricity or telephone bill.

On top of the increase in payment rates income and assets cut-off amounts have also been increased.

The increases had been achieved by a combination of Consumer Price Index rises, the Coalition's legislated commitment to link pensions to 25 per cent of Male Total Average Weekly Earnings and increases provided with the introduction of the new tax system in July 2000.

Since the Coalition came to Government in 1996 the maximum single pension rate has increased by more than $115 a fortnight, a major achievement during a period of fiscal restraint and low price inflation.

And it is not only pensioners who are set to benefit with a range of payments to rise including the adult allowance rates of Parenting Payment, mature Age Allowance, Newstart Allowance, Partner Allowances, Widow Allowance, rent assistance and Maternity Allowance.

Larry Anthony MP
Federal Member for Richmond
Minister for Children & Youth Affairs
PO Box 6996 Tweed Heads South 2486 ph: 07 5524 2466 fax: 07 5524 9366
www.larry.com.au Toll Free: 1800 812 125 larry.anthony.mp@aph.gov.au

Ian Causley
Canberra Connection

Veterans Pensions rise

Veterans and war widows are better off following the latest increases in pensions and allowances.

The pension rates rose in line with the cost of living adjustments from September 20, with the benefits to flow through to pension payments from the Department of Veterans' Affairs on Thursday, October 2.

Veteran disability payments will increase by up to $9.80, with the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated rate rising to $762.60 per fortnight, an additional $254.80 for the year.

Maximum rate single service pensioners will receive up to an extra $325 a year as fortnightly pensions are increased to $452.80, while couples will have their pensions increased to $378 each, an additional $273 each for the year.

War widows will also benefit from the increase, with their fortnightly pension rising $12.50 to $477.80.

Budget submissions

The Treasurer Peter Costello is seeking submissions from individuals, business and community groups on their views regarding priorities for the 2004-05 Federal Budget.

The Coalition Government places considerable importance on receiving community views in developing its budget strategies and polices.

It would be advisable for those interested in making submissions to do so as soon as possible to ensure their consideration in the budget context.

The deadline for submissions is October 22 and it would be helpful if they could include a short, executive summary of no more that two pages.

Submissions should be forwarded to: Budget Policy Division, Department of the Treasury, Langton Crescent, Parkes ACT 2600; or emailed to: prebudgetsubs@treasury.gov.au.

Dr insurance

The Coalition Government recognises the great contribution medical practitioners and health professionals make to Australia. The Government also recognises the difficulties health professionals face because of increased medical indemnity insurance.

The problem faced by health professionals has arisen due to the unsustainable tort law regime of the State Labor Government and the mismanagement of UMP, the largest medical insurer.

Despite this, the Coalition Government has implemented a comprehensive package to make medical indemnity insurance more affordable and keep doctors in the workforce.

The Government is providing $350 million over five years in the form of:

• subsidies for specialists with relatively high premiums;

• a high-cost claims scheme for settlements over $2 million;

• a scheme to meet 100% of damages above $20 million;

• enhanced prudential supervision of medical defence organisations; and

• increased monitoring of premiums through the ACCC.

In addition to this, the Government has implemented the IBNR scheme, for UMP members only, designed to prop up that insurer so that doctors aren't forced to settle claims themselves. Retired doctors over 65 earning less than $5000 per year from medical work are exempt. Four out of five doctors paying the levy will pay less than $1500 per annum and this will be tax deductible.

The Government will also continue to work with the states to bring the laws of negligence back into balance.