Palmer party would increase aged pension

Clive Palmer's party is promising more money for aged pensioners and veterans.

Billionaire Clive Palmer says his party would increase the aged pension by $150 a fortnight.

Mr Palmer says that represents a 20 per cent increase on the basic rates for singles and couples.

He says a Palmer United Party government would boost pensions and provide back pay to veterans and their families to the tune of $640 million.

"There are so many pensioners in this country, our mothers, fathers and aunts, who have been treated very shabbily by the system," Mr Palmer told reporters on Wednesday.

He said veterans' pensions had fallen behind civilian pensions.

"Many of them are entitled to back pay," he added.

"In any government I lead there will be a stand alone minister to look after veterans' affairs."

More than 300,000 veterans and their families struggle with inferior pensions, he said.

Mr Palmer refused to outline where the money would come from, saying his party's policy costings would be outlined later.


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world