Senator Evans may look forward to stories about pension cuts, but pensioners certainly don’t.

“Pensioners are outraged by comments made by Senator Chris Evans on the effects of fortnightly reporting of earnings to Centrelink,” said Charmaine Crowe, CPSA Policy Coordinator.

“It appears that Senator Evans is trivialising an issue that has very real negative impacts on Age Pensioners working on a casual basis.”

The following is Senator Evans’s response to a question about the impact of the new Work Bonus fortnightly reporting requirements for Age Pensioners (Hansard, 31 May 2010):

Senator Evans—And, interestingly, there is always a story about Santa Clauses being ripped off as a result of working every Christmas, whatever the year, whatever the current arrangements are.

Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS—I am just asking for clarification.

Senator Chris Evans—It is just a story I see run every year. I look forward to it every year.

“Senator Evans may look forward to these stories every year, but pensioners certainly don’t. In reality, the new fortnightly reporting rules dock pension payments of Age Pensioners who work on a casual basis, whereas before they may not have lost any pension at all.”

“The Australian Government should be exploring ways to solve this problem, rather than making a mockery of it. Allowing Age Pensioners to average their income from casual employment over three or 12 months would be a good start.”

Media contact: 0410 612 182

Charmaine Crowe
Policy Coordinator
Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association (CPSA)
Level 9, 28 Foveaux Street Surry Hills NSW, 2010
Phone (02) 9281 3588
Mob 0410 612 182
Fax (02) 9281 9716