Liberals woo Aust. pensioners, mothers

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33515, 22 April 1974, Page 13

Liberals woo Aust. pensioners, mothers

(Tf.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

CANBERRA, April 21.

The Liberal-Country’ parties’ social services election policy, announced today, includes a promise to adjust pensions regularly in line with the cost of living.

Other promises made jointly by the two parties are the abolition of the means test for those over 65, doubling the maternity benefits for the first child from §3O to §6O dollars, and doubling orphans’ pensions.

The Liberal-Country Party coalition is attempting to regain the Federal Treasury from the 17-month-old Labour Government in the election next month for the two Federal Houses of Parliament.

The statement said the parties undertook to protect pensioners and those on fixed incomes while other measures against inflation were taken, but gave a warning that it considered the early introduction of programmes of heavy spending "irresponsible” and liable to aggravate the situation for the old or the poor. It promised also to extend the Meals on Wheels service, to give greater incentives to pensioners who wished to work, leisure surveys, expansion of home care programmes, portability of pensions overseas, and the inclusion of the pensioner medical service in the subsidised health benefits scheme.

The parties promise to maintain the existing health

insurance scheme through private health funds, which Labour plans to incorporate in a national socialised scheme.

Further details of the parties’ election policy are expected to be announced later I this week.