Media Release
“Services like Centrelink and Medicare have achieved huge operational cost savings by moving their customer interface online. However, access to the online customer interface comes at a cost to pensioners and other low income households”, said CPSA Policy Coordinator Paul Versteege.
“The improved amenity of paying bills, banking and dealing with Government services such as Centrelink and Medicare over the internet has left many pensioners struggling to pay for a computer and for connection charges.
“CPSA calls for the creation of an Internet Supplement, like the old Telephone Allowance, to help pensioners keep up in a digital world. It is only reasonable to use some of the operational cost savings achieved by moving customer interface online to pay low-income households compensation for costs that have been shifted onto them.”
