Aged care packages 'don't address pensioner poverty'

from The ABC

The Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association says both of the major political parties' aged care packages have failed people who need the most help.

Both parties have pledged $4 billion for pensioners and carers, while Labor has added almost $140 million extra to pay increased allowances quarterly, instead of every six months.

Association policy coordinator Paul Versteege says both packages work out to about $8 a week extra for the 3 million people who qualify.

But Mr Versteege says the extra money should be targeted at the poorest pensioners who have little or no superannuation.

"The packages that both parties have offered are essentially the same," he said.

"There's a little bit of detail that's different, but neither package addresses the problem of poverty among pensioners.

"It simply gives them an $8 a week rise, where they need $80 a week.

"Both the Coalition and Labor have failed pensioners, and it's a matter of fact now that the only parties that have pledged to address the poverty among pensioners are the Greens and Family First."

Prime Minister John Howard says Labor has copied the Coalition's package and made a mistake by trying to change it slightly.

"Under our policy you get half of the $500 utility allowance in March of next year and under Mr Rudd's policy you only get $125 in March of next year, you get another $125 in June, but you're always $125 behind for three months," he said.

"My advice to Mr Rudd is that if you're going to copy our policies, copy the lot."