http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/05/21/comments-corrections-clarifications-and-cckups-7/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:54:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/05/21/comments-corrections-clarifications-and-cckups-7/#comment-21534 John Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-21534 Pat Berzin makes the most important point about those trying to live on the current pension rate (or disability support or unemployment benefits)-whether one owns their own home or not. For renters , the situation is dire with at least half or two thirds of their pension being eaten up by rent. Trying to live on what remains is virtually impossible with most just getting deeper in debt via credit cards or just not paying utility bills and such. Pensioners who own property can even borrow without paying a debt before they die via a variety of bank loan arrangements. Those in rented accomodation-which after all has been something the Howard government promoted relentlessly as a way in which Australians should invest for the future have created this situation rather than investing in government housing which most European countries spend far greater sums on. At present, pensioners need at least $100 increase a week extra to live a reasonable life. Pat Berzin makes the most important point about those trying to live on the current pension rate (or disability support or unemployment benefits)-whether one owns their own home or not. For renters , the situation is dire with at least half or two thirds of their pension being eaten up by rent. Trying to live on what remains is virtually impossible with most just getting deeper in debt via credit cards or just not paying utility bills and such. Pensioners who own property can even borrow without paying a debt before they die via a variety of bank loan arrangements. Those in rented accomodation-which after all has been something the Howard government promoted relentlessly as a way in which Australians should invest for the future have created this situation rather than investing in government housing which most European countries spend far greater sums on. At present, pensioners need at least $100 increase a week extra to live a reasonable life.

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