Pensioners, carers have cause for hope - Greens

Australia's pensioners and carers have good cause for hope that next year's budget will come to their aid, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said after debate in the Senate this afternoon.

The government and opposition opposed Greens and Democrats amendments to limit the Rudd government's $30.8 billion tax cuts to low and middle income Australians.

Senator Brown said the cuts for high income earners should go instead to pensioners and carers and services including public schools and hospitals. He criticised Labor for having lost its core social justice ideology.

Minister Nick Sherry described pensioners' $14,000 per annum as being on 'struggle street' and Senator Helen Coonan said that pensioners 'really do deserve better'.

"There is a growing sympathy across the parliament for pensioners and carers. This should transfer into budget action and the Greens intend to keep this campaign on the front burner. Pensioners should not have to wait another year," Senator Brown said.

For More Information:

Ebony Bennett
Email: ebony.bennett@aph.gov.au
Phone: 0409 164 603