Oct2014_DICKSON NEWS
From your Federal Member for Dickson, PETER DUTTON
Ph: 3205 9977
Email: peter.dutton.mp@aph.gov.au
Aged Pension has increased
On 20 September pensioners started receiving an increased Age Pension:
For singles on the maximum rate the increase is $11.50 a fortnight – to $854.30
For couples on the maximum rate the combined increase is $17.40 a fortnight – to $1,288;
The Age Pension is going up by the cost of living increase for pensioners – which is higher than the increase in Male Total Average Weekly Earnings. This is the second increase to the Age Pension this year. It will continue to increase twice every year – just as it has in the past. The Government is committed to providing strong support for pensioners.
Also, with the Abbott Government’s abolition of Labor’s Carbon Tax, power costs are falling – but we’ve kept the Energy Supplement for pensioners. This is in spite of Labor leaving Australia with record debt and deficits. Households are $550 a year better off with the repeal of the carbon tax.
The family home is not included in the Pension assets test – and, under the Coalition, never will be. For self-funded retirees we’ve indexed the income threshold to qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card – meaning more self-funded retirees will qualify.
I know that many in our community have been upset by Labor’s misleading and discredited claims on the Government’s support for seniors.
World Mental Health Day and SANE Australia Online Forums
National Mental Health week this year takes place from the 5th to 12th of October. This coincides with the global mental health event World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October.
World Mental Health day is an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health and aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage education and advocacy.
While almost half of the Australian population will develop a mental illness at some point in their lives, only 46 per cent of this group will seek any form of support or treatment.
As Minister for Health, I recently launched two online forums to support people living with mental illness and their family and friends. The SANE Australia Online Forums will help people by giving them trusted and anonymous access to reliable mental health information, advice and referrals.
For more information on World Mental Health Day, please visit http://1010.org.au
To access the SANE Forums, please visit www.saneforums.org
In case of crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Stay Smart Online
It is important that Australians are able to go online confidently and securely as they engage in online banking, shopping, education and communication.
The Australian Government supports safe and secure internet use through initiatives to raise public awareness about the simple steps people can take to protect their personal and financial information online.
One of these initiatives is the Stay Smart Online channels, including a website, Facebook and YouTube. Together, they provide easy to understand information on secure online practices and behaviours for home users and small business.
For more information, please visit:
Marquee Hire
I have a 6 x 9m marquee available for community organisations to hire, free of charge. If you are interested in hiring the marquee for your community event please contact my office on 3205 9977 or email peter.dutton.mp@aph.gov.au
