Downsizing House, Upsizing Super
Published 30 January 2018
From 1 July 2018, if you are 65 or over, and you are downsizing, the Government has created a new tax break for you.
The One Aged Care Inquiry That’s Missing
Published 29 January 2018
There have been no less than six inquiries into aged care recently and an additional one hasn't yet finished. But to hold an inquiry is one thing, responding to it is quite another.
Victorian Voluntary Euthanasia Bill is Passed
Published 28 January 2018
Late November 2017, Victoria became the first and only state in the country with a euthanasia scheme.
Nursing Home Closure
Published 28 January 2018
The Ritz Nursing Home in Leura, a locked facility for 148 high-care residents, is one of the very few nursing homes ever to be closed by the Australian Government.
From Welfare to Bad
Published 26 January 2018
What's in store for pensioners if the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform) Bill 2017 passes the Senate?
Fire Levy Revisited
Published 25 January 2018
Tax experts agree that taxing land is a great way of raising tax, because land can't go anywhere. You can't put a block of land in a numbered Swiss bank account.
Beating Term Deposits to the End
Published 23 January 2018
The Global Financial Crisis, which started in October 2007, was the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Centrelink Scam
Published 23 January 2018
Centrelink is warning about a 'subsidy benefit' scam email, which has been sent to people. The email looks as though it originates from Centrelink. It doesn't.
Shellharbour Hospital Will Remain in Public Hands
Published 17 November 2017
The NSW Government has axed its plan to privatise Shellharbour hospital, following a long and fierce community campaign with South Coast CPSA branches and members prominently involved.
Oakden Aged Care Review: Govt “Relentless” in Doing Very Little
Published 17 November 2017
Horrific abuse and neglect at the Oakden aged care facility in Adelaide prompted the Federal Minister for Aged Care to call for a review. On 25 October 2017, the minister released the report of the Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes. [more]
Welfare Reform Update
Published 21 October 2017
The controversial Welfare Reform Bill is before the Senate and parliamentarians are gearing up to debate.
Nursing Home Assaults, Sex Attacks: How to FOI your Region or Town’s Statistics
Published 12 September 2017
Every November, the Australian Department of Health publishes the national nursing home reportable assault statistics. The Department does not provide a breakdown, let alone the names of the homes where these assaults occurred.
Pensioners Welcome NSW Government’s Commitment to Affordable Rent for Social Housing Tenants
Published 5 September 2017
"CPSA welcomes the NSW Government's decision to reject the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal's (IPART) that the pension supplement should be included in the calculation of rent for social housing tenants." said Ellis Blaikie, CPSA Policy Coordinator. [more]
Pensioners welcome NSW Government’s Energy Bill Relief Package, but Percentage-Based Rebate Still Needed
Published 4 September 2017
"CPSA welcomes the NSW Government's energy bill relief package, which will provide much needed emergency support for vulnerable households. With NSW energy bills set to reach record highs over the next year, the increase of the Low Income Household Rebate from $235 to $285 couldn't come soon enough. [more]
Surplus Hits $12 Billion, but Pensioners Miss Out on Help With Energy Bills
Published 20 June 2017
"CPSA welcomes the NSW Government's ongoing support for pensioners, with the continuation of energy rebates to ease the cost of living. But with power prices set to skyrocket in the next year, many pensioners will be left out in the cold unless further assistance is delivered urgently. [more]
Budget 2017-18: Some Good News but Pension Age Still 70
Published 9 May 2017
"CPSA welcomes the one-off Energy Assistance Payment, and the return of the Pension Concession Card to victims of the 2017 change to the age pension asset test, but the Government will not rest until Age Pension qualification age is increased to 70. [more]
IPART shambles: abolish Pensioner Council Rate Rebate
Published 22 August 2016
“IPART’s recommendation to replace the pensioner concession for the council rate rebate with a rate deferral scheme confirms its status as New South Wales’ premier blinkered bureaucracy - IPART just doesn’t get it”, said CPSA Policy Coordinator, Paul Versteege. [more]
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