Earlier payout urged

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32777, 30 November 1971, Page 16

Earlier payout urged

There was no reason why the proposed pension increases could not be paid to beneficiaries before Christmas, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) said last evening.

“It should be paid, and the money is needed to cover constantly increasing prices, particularly of food,” said Mr Kirk.

"It would be a simple matter administratively to make the payout before Christmas. All that would be needed would be to add the appropriate amount to the pension paid on the presentation of the December order. "In fact, it would be just as easy to do that as it was for the Government to have television licences sent out for the old amount increased when people went to pay their account.

“Furthermore, the money is owned to the beneficiaries now. They have had increased telephone accounts, and increased television licence fees. There are also increases to come in electricity prices in the New Year, in addition to increased food, clothing and other prices,” added Mr Kirk.

“Beneficiaries in institutional accommodation have already had their rents increased, and in many cases their pocket money has been reduced to 25c a week. “That alone is sufficient to justify a speedier payout. It can be done if the Government wants to do it. If it is not done, the proposed increases will stand revealed as a political dodge designed to take some of the heat out of other costly proposals the Government is at present considering,” Mr Kirk said.