Senator Anne Ruston’s comments about the Age Pension being generous have caused quite a stir, but she maintains the comment was taken out of context. Hear what she had to say to YourLifeChoices on the issue.
“The Minister’s comments on 3AW earlier this week related to the comprehensive nature of Australia’s social security system which taxpayers committed more than $172 billion toward in 2018-19, representing more than one in $3 or 35 per cent of all spending by the Government. The Minister is deeply concerned the misinterpretation of the comments may have caused offence,” said a spokesperson for Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston.
“The Minister understands the financial difficulties facing many of Australia’s age pensioners. It is why her first act since becoming the Minister for Families and Social Services was to relieve some of the pressure on part pensioners by reducing both the upper and lower deeming rates to put more money back in the pockets of about 630,000 older Australians.
“The Minister has committed to meeting with the representatives of the nation’s peak seniors groups to consider other measures to support older Australians.”
Do you think the Minister’s comments were taken out of context? Considering the progress Ms Ruston has made in such a short term in office, do you think she has older Australians’ best interests at heart?
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