The Wyoming Community Centre was at capacity on Friday, October 4 as Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride hosted one of her regular seniors’ forums with Services Australia and the Seniors Rights Service.
The forum followed the September 20 increases to the Age Pension, Rent Assistance, and Home Care Packages, and expansions to income and asset tests for income support and the Seniors Health Care Card.
McBride also updated seniors on the Labor Government’s work to ease the cost of living, including tax cuts for every taxpayer, $300 energy bill relief for every household, cheaper medicines, and increases to bulk billing.
She said the Labor Government was easing pressure by freezing the maximum cost of PBS prescriptions and adding more medicines to the PBS.
For the next five years, eligible cardholders won’t pay more than $7.70 for medications on the PBS.
Representatives from Services Australia and Seniors Rights Australia gave presentations on the changes and the assistance they can provide.
Attendees took the opportunity to speak with Financial Information Service staff from Services Australia and book face-to-face appointments to discuss their future.
This is the third seniors forum McBride has held in her community since July, following previous events in Long Jetty and Toukley.
“Over the past eight years as the Member for Dobell, I’ve held seniors’ forums across our community to keep local seniors up-to-date with the information and support,” she said.
“I’m working to deliver cost-of-living relief for local seniors, including increases to the pension, energy bill relief and cheaper medicines.
“Expanding the eligibility for the Seniors Health Care Card means more people can access to cheaper medicines,” McBride said.