Govt critical of 'pensioner perks’ scheme

Press, 25 February 1978, Page 2

Govt critical of 'pensioner perks’ scheme

Parliamentary reporter A promise by the Leadei of the Opposition Mr Rowling • to reintroduce "pensioners’ perks” foi those who need them could be seen as an indication oi the Labour Party’s intention to introduce a means test for national superannuitants, the .Minister of Social Welfare (Mr Walker) said "Mr Rowling suggested in Christchurch that the Labour Party would bring back concessions in the form of assistance with telephone rentals, travel, and rates,’.’ said Mr Walker. ’ ’ H e conveniently overlooks the fact that the rate of national superannuation for a married couple will be increased in August to 80 per cent of the average ordinary’ time weekly wage.” Pensioners would then be in a comparable financia position to many young married couples buying their

• own homes and raising families. “The National ’’arty promised to give the ! pensioners a liveable wage, and this we are doing, (without the need to tack on • bits here and there to make up for what the previous • Government failed to do. I "Concessions such as (those mentioned by Mr (Rowling, if extended to all (pensioners, would cost about i$35M a year, and that is a (pretty sizeable bonus in anybody’s language.” said Mr [Walker. “But he does not intend to I give the concessions to all i oensioners. only those in • need — and to implement ■ that policy he would need a means test.” Replying to Mr Rowling’s criticism of allowable income for those on meanstested benefits, Mr Walker said the National Party had promised in its manifesto hat there would be a review; c allowable income, and : his would be done this! lyear.