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Pensioners struggle to afford food

Posted on September 23, 2008, 5:05pm and updated on September 24, 2008 at 7:59 am

A Mount Gambier welfare organisation and a South East federal politician have joined the nationwide call for a rise in the aged pension, following unprecedented numbers of pensioners in the city seeking help because they cannot afford basic food.

According to Anglican Community Care, many pensioners in the city are living below the poverty line and “skimping” on basic food such as fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.

“Up until this year we never saw pensioners come through, just mainly singles, youths or couples, but we are now,” Anglican Community Care emergency relief officer Margaret Solomons told The Border Watch.

“Some pensioners who are coming in are very embarrassed because they could not longer cope … some are skimping on food and others aren’t users heaters to save money.”

She said some pensioners came in crying because of their situation and others revealed they could no longer afford meat.

“You can’t put it down to one thing, it’s petrol, rising food costs, increases in rent and now people are paying for water in Housing SA homes,” said Ms Solomons, who explained the single aged pension was below the poverty line of $661.45 per fortnight.

But she appealed to pensioners not to be “ashamed” and seek help if they needed assistance.

“I want to stress to people that it’s not shameful to ask for help,” Ms Solomons said.

“The government tells people to eat healthily, but fresh food is very expensive. It is cheaper just to buy a pie with frozen chips.”

Meanwhile, Federal Member for Barker Patrick Secker has also joined the call for a $30 rise in the pension.

“The Liberal Party asked questions in parliament on Monday and the government just called it a stunt,” Mr Secker told The Border Watch.

“I have been receiving many letters from my constituents — our pensioners are doing it tough.”

While claiming the previous Liberal Government did raise the pension and provided a $500 bonus, he said the Rudd Government was not willing to move on the issue despite soaring living costs.

“After they pay their grocery, fuel bills, they’ve got nothing left,” Mr Secker said.

He also feared some pensioners were not using their heaters or buying meat to save costs.

“I am worried that some pensioners are using candles instead of electricity which can cause house fires,” Mr Secker said.

“It is very sad when you hear they are taking those sort of measures.”

But Families and Housing Minister Jenny Macklin claimed Mr Secker was “ignoring” his electorate’s 16,200 pensioners.

“That’s because Mr (Malcolm) Turnbull and Mr Secker are more interested in a quick fix which excludes two million pensioners around Australia from a pension increase,” Ms Macklin said.

“We are determined to make the pension system fair for pensioners in Barker and around Australia.”

She said the government had provided a downpayment, increasing the utilities allowance from $107 to $514, and ewas xtending it for the first time to carer payments and disability support pensioners.

“We also provided bonus payments for seniors and carers,” Ms Macklin said.

  • Pensioners describe their daily struggle: Report in The Border Watch on Wednesday.

SANDRA MORELLO

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