Past Programs
Aged Care - 2008
Centrelink is under fire
19/11/2008
Unions and welfare groups are questioning whether Centrelink will be able to cope if unemployment starts to rise as predicted in the face of the global financial crisis. In the meantime Centrelink staff have been flat out preparing for the 8 December payments from the government's 10-point $4 billion economic stimulus package.
Clare Martin talks: new CEO of ACOSS
31/10/2008
After 13 years in politics, the former chief minister of the Northern Territory, Clare Martin, this week started a new job as CEO of Australia's peak welfare body, ACOSS.
For ACOSS, it's been called the 'coming of age' of the community sector, the confirmation of new partnerships and engagement with government and corporate Australia. For Clare Martin, it's a chance to continue fighting on some of the big issues, like tax reform, climate change and housing.
Opposition backs $10.4 billion stimulus package
15/10/2008
Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull yesterday committed the Coalition to supporting legislation that will deliver the Government's proposed $10.4 billion stimulus package. While not wanting to 'quibble', Mr Turnbull did say the Opposition would have delivered a different package. Tony Abbott is the Coalition Families, Community Services, and Indigenous Affairs spokesperson.
The unemployed miss out: ACOSS
15/10/2008
Pensioners, carers, families receiving Family Tax Benefit A and first home buyers are the big winners in the government's big raid on the $22 billion budget surplus just announced. But according to Australia's peak welfare body, the Australian Council of Social Service, those most vulnerable, the unemployed, have missed out completely.
Calls to cut the politics over pensions with an independent commission
24/09/2008
Catholic Social Services Australia has called for an end to the acrimonious debate over the pension rate. Executive Director Frank Quinlan says it's time to set up an independent body to ensure a fairer and better organised approach to pensions and other welfare payments.
Aged and disability pension
12/08/2008
If you feel living costs are getting tougher, then think about the 80 per cent of Australians aged 65 and over who are on the pension. Yesterday the Government released a discussion paper which looked at the aged and disability pension and the carers payment. But if you talk to pensioners there is no discussion needed, they just want an increase in the pension but that won't happen until February next year when the review is completed.
Housing affordability for the elderly
01/07/2008
The Rudd government is being warned that more attention must be paid to housing for older Australians if it wants to avoid a crisis in availability and affordability. Today an Older Person's Affordable Housing Forum is being held in Canberra.
Aged care under pressure
12/06/2008
Seniors groups and nursing homes say the aged care industry is under immense strain, and the federal government must do more to improve funding. Their call comes as a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows aged care residents are becoming more dependent and are staying longer, a result of the growing number of dementia sufferers and frail patients.
