1 April2013 THEVOICEOFPENSIONERSANDSUPERANNUANTSOFNSW

THE

VOICEOF PENSIONERS AND SUPERANNUANTS OF NSWPrint Post Approved PP235387100064 ISSN 10353615 April 2013

PENSIONERS can expecta slightly higher Pensionincrease this time around, inpartduetotheintroductionoftheCleanEnergySupplement. Single pensioners will bereceiving an extra $35.80perfortnightwhilepensionercouplesonthemaximumratewill receiveanextra$54perfortnightcombined. ThefullratePensionisnow$808.40afortnightforsinglesand$1,218.80forcouples.

Thebaserateofthisincreaseis due to increases in theMale Total Average WeeklyEarnings. Of this increase, $13.50for singles and $20.40 forcouples is made up of theCleanEnergySupplement. This is the new ongoingpayment that’s compensationfor any price increasesattributedtothecarbontax. Yet the Coalition hasannounced that if they getinto Government at the next

election, the Clean EnergySupplementwillbescrapped. That’s38percentof theseincreasesgone. The rationale,ofcourse, isthatwiththecarbontaxgone,therewillbenoneedforanycompensation. It’stimetomakeitcleartothe Coalition that prices aregoingup,withorwithoutthecarbontax. It’svitalthatpensionersareabletohangontothismodestSupplement if they are to

have any chance of keepingtheirheadabovewaterinthefaceofrisingbills. In comparison, thesignificantly lower Dolepayment (Newstart) isgoingupbyonly$12.40perfortnightforsingles. Sixty-six per cent of thisincrease is due to the CleanEnergySupplement. ThisisbecausetheindexingonlyfactorsinchangestoCPI

Is your pensIon rIse about to be axed?

Continued page 7

INSIDE:

Council Rate Rebate’s 20 year stall

Strata in strife

Pensioners overseas

Older people left out of disability scheme

Aged care explained

Don’t trade away health

Get off the road

Retirement villages

2 April2013 THEVOICEOFPENSIONERSANDSUPERANNUANTSOFNSW

CPSAExecutive(as at 2.11.2012)

Grace Selway OAM CPSA President

Bob JayCPSA Secretary

Betty ChamberlainCPSA Treasurer

Bill HollandCPSA Snr Vice PresidentAssistant Treasurer

Janet CoxonCPSA Vice President

Sue LatimerAssistant Secretary

Shirley BainsMargaret Craven-ScottJim GraindaGeorge RayColin VernonBarbara Wright

THEVOICEOF PENSIONERS AND SUPERANNUANTS OF NSW

Phone: 1800 451 488Fax: (02) 9281 9716Email: voice@cpsa.org.auProduction: Amelia Christie, Charmaine Crowe & Paul VersteegePrinter: MPD, Unit E1, 46-62 Maddox Street, Alexandria NSW 2015

All content prepared by the editorial and production team with reference to stories on AAP newswire, unless indicated.

THE VOICECPSA, Level 9, 28 Foveaux StSurry Hills NSW 2010

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No responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of information contained in advertisements or text supplied by other organisations or individuals and/or typographical errors.

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LettersNursing home horrorTHANKYOU for speakingup for the elderly residentsat these nursing homeswho cannot speak up forthemselves. Mymotherhasbeen in aged care facilitiesfor the past four and a halfyears. Mymotherwasmoved toanother facility almost threeyears ago and we couldn’tbehappierwiththecareshereceivesthere. But I’ll give you just averyquickoverviewofwhathappenedat the last nursinghome. At the previous nursinghome there was the mostterrible medical care,atrocious food, dangerouslevels of staffing and anenvironment of lies, deceitandemptypromises. Therewasnodentalcare,alackofprofessionalstandardsintermsofinfectioncontrol,and people were medicatedintozombiestates. Therewere eight falls out

ofbedandnoonecouldhelp. TheAgedCareComplaintsScheme was useless andmade the situation evenworse. ElderRightsweretheonlypeoplewhowerehelpfulandofanyuse. I spent almost two yearsbegging for her medicationtobereviewedasmymotherwashallucinatingona20mgNorspanpatch,gettingfeversandnightmares. Finally, medication waschanged to 10mg and allhallucinations, falls out ofbed, fevers and nightmaresdisappeared. I can’t even begin toexplainthefullhorrorofourexperience. I don’t know how mymothersurviveditallandwecriedsomanytearstoseeherinsomuchpainanddistress. Shewas one resident in ahighcarenursinghomewith59otherresidentsinthesamewing. Ineversawmorethantwo

or three staff members onduty. They were overworked,stressedandexhausted. Itisimpossibletocareforso many people, get themfed, showered and taken tothetoilet.Impossible. Residentswaitedforhoursand hours, sitting in theirown excrement and beingaskedtojustquicklyeattheirlunch and then they wouldget around to getting themoutofbed. Itwasanightmarethatyouwerefullyawakeandunabletoextricateyourselffrom. Iwasfinallyable tomovemy mother after the mosthorrificcampaignagainstmebythenursinghome-anursetoldme that if Imovedmymother,shewoulddie. Her organs were shuttingdownandshewasdying. I was just incapable ofseeing the truth in front ofme. Mymothersaidshewouldratherdietryingtomovethan

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I’d like to renew my Membership or join CPSA as a Member and enclose my individual Membership fee of $12 (Includes a free annual subscription to THE VOICE, valued at $25.00). I agree to be bound by the CPSA Constitution and uphold the Objectives and Policies of CPSA. I support the CPSA Objectives. I have not previously been expelled from CPSA or, if I have been expelled, I have attached a copy of my CPSA Executive exemption. Please send me information about my nearest Branch. I do not wish to join CPSA but would like to subscribe to THE VOICE (1 year—$25.00 incl. GST). I belong to an organisation and would like information about how we can become a Branch or an Affiliate of CPSA. (NB: Branches are covered by CPSA’s $10 million Public Liability Insurance). I wish to make a donation of $______ (All donations above $2 are tax deductible). Please send me information about THE VOICE gift subscriptions. Please send me information about making a bequest to CPSA in my will.Name:_____________________________________________________________________________Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________State:_____________Postcode:__________Phone: ______________________________Email:_________________________________________Payment details (for credit card): Visa Mastercard Name on card:__________________________Card Number:___________________Expiry:_________Amount:______________________ Signature:_____________________________________________

Please send to: CPSA, Level 9, 28 Foveaux St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Letters are personal views only and do not necessarily reflect CPSA policy. Ed.

April2013 www.cpsa.org.au 1800451488 3

staying. Afterthemove,mymotherblossomed because ofincrediblygood,professionalandcaringexpertise. Goodfoodandabalanceddiethaveseenherthrive. Two years later and mymother couldn’t be happierorhealthier. Sheisoneoffifteenhighcare residents with morecarers, nurses, physios,kitchenstaffetc.,thanIeversawintheresidenceofsixtyresidents. Please keep fighting forthis. It’snotjustaboutthemoneythese people take from themiseryoftheelderly. Theyworktheirstafftothegroundforverylittlemoney,in appalling conditions andan environment of threatsandbullyingofthestaff. Ihaveseenit, liveditandwitnessedit. Therehastobeamandateforastafftoresidentratio. We do it for vulnerablechildreninchildcare. Wehavetodoitfortheveryvulnerableelderlyinnursinghomes.Theyarecompletelyhelplesstohelpthemselves. There needs to betransparencyandstandards. WhatevertheAccreditationpeoplearedoingisacompletewasteoftimeandmoney. It seems to me that thereisa fabulouspoolofmoneythat everyone is grabbingfor, whilst elderly peopleare suffering,deepandhardsuffering, and no one hearsthem. Noonecaresaboutthem. Everyone is so busyfilling out the appropriatepaperwork toget themoneyin that they are too busy tocareforthoseintheircharge. Please, please help thesepeople. Thankyou.

Name and address supplied

Response to public housing postcard This letter was received by a CPSA Member in response to the CPSA campaign postcard calling for the decision to include of the Clean Energy Supplement in public housing rent calculations to be reversed: THANK YOU for yourpostcard on the disgracefuldecisionoftheNSWLiberalGovernment. IstronglyopposetheNSWGovernment’s decision toinclude the Clean EnergySupplement as assessableincome in the calculationof rent for social housingtenants. I was concerned to hearthatfromMarch2013,whenthe programme starts, thatallpensionersandother lowincome earning groups willhavetoforgo25percentoftheirsupplementstoHousingNSW. The purpose of the CleanEnergy Supplement is toassisthouseholdsinmeetingrisingenergycosts,itshouldnot be included whencalculating a fair rent forsocialhousingtenants. IwillworkwithmyGreenscolleaguesintheupperhousein ensuring that 100 percentofall theCleanEnergySupplements are distributedwithoutreductionsorpenaltytothosewhoareeligible. I will continue to striveforfairrentcalculationsandimproved maintenance forallHousingNSWtenants.

Jamie Parker Member for Balmain

Contacting Centrelink by PhoneON MONDAY 25th ofFebruary 2013 I rangCentrelink on 132 300to update my change ofcircumstancesafterthedeathofmywife.Itwas1.05pm. The introductions started

withwhatisavailableandthenumbersIshouldpresstogetthe service I want but therewasaproblemwiththis. As I have a hearingproblem, I could not followthe voice. This recordedmessagewasnotloudenoughandon top of it too fast forme. In the end I got music,musicandmusic. Andbeinganolderperson,I also had to attend to thebathroom. That meant having tohang up and start from thebeginningagain. After that I rang 131 202and got an answer fromsomeonewhoputmethroughtoMedicare! After this Irang Hobart Tasmania andtheyputmebacktoCentrelinkandwithin10minutes I gotCoffsHarbourandspoketoaverynicewoman. Shehadaveryclearvoiceandshecouldhelpmeanditwas all over in less than 10minutes.Itwas3.43pm. I feel that this so-calledHumanServicesistelephoneabuseofolderAussies. With kind regards anddisappointment in this kindofHumanService.

Helmut Neubauer Berkeley Vale NSW

Putting seniors on the election agenda2013 IS an election year sowe should highlight someissues that adversely affectsenior citizens, pensionersandself-fundedretirees.

These issues areprimarilyelectricity prices, petrolprices,costoflivingincreases(particularlyforthoseinrealneed) and the deficienciesin Government policies.DeficienciesinGovernmentpolicies must be addressedin order to help pensionersand homeless people much

more and at the same timeloopholes available forpeople tominimiseoravoidpaying their fair share intaxesshouldbeclosed. It isvery importantforallof us to contact our localcandidatesfor theupcomingelection and let them knowthat they must do muchmore for the good forgottenAustralianslikeus.

Kerry KoliadisBexley NSW

Councils can raise rebates independentlyWHILST I agreewholeheartedly with thesentiments expressed inyour petition, I think yourstatement that rebates are at$250andhavelostnearly60per cent of its value in realtermsisabitbroad. The rebate varies fromCounciltoCouncil. MyratessinceImovedtothe Lithgow City Councilhavesteadilyincreased. Over five years the rebatehasreducedby10percentinrealtermsformewhilstrateshave increased by 26.3 percent. I have been informed thatanyCouncilcansetwhateverrebate rate it desires anddoes not have to wait forinstructionsfromtheMinisterforLocalGovernment. The only way to correctthissituationisfortheNSWGovernmenttosetrebatesasaminimumpercentageofrates(including separate waterrates)andthatCouncilshavetheflexibilitytoincreasethispercentage. I commend CPSA on thestand they are takingon thematter.

Ian Burrett Portland NSW

The 60 per cent figure used by CPSA was calculated using average NSW Council rate figures over 20 years.Ed.

Letters

4 April2013 THEVOICEOFPENSIONERSANDSUPERANNUANTSOFNSW

Members’pageCPSA Merchandise

BadgesMembership : pin or magnet $4.50Title Bar* + pendant $9.00Title Bar* $5.00Pendant $4.00(*except Welfare Officer $10.15Asst Soc. Sec.) $16.15CardsMembership card $0.10Waratah card $1.00

Card wallet $3.30Certificate (80/90 years/Appreciation) $1.10Emergency medical information book $2.00Leather key ring $5.50Letter opener: silver $10.00Do Not Knock Sticker FREE for individuals*Tea caddy spoon $4.40

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Garden of Remembrance

Nyngan Branch regret to announce the passing of our Patron, Mrs Betty Crichton OAM. Betty was 94 years of age and a Member for many years. She was actively involved in many organisations in Nyngan which earned her the OAM.

~ Rest in Peace ~

DonationsCPSA is grateful for all donations. Due to lack of space, the following only includes donations above $35 received since the last edition of THE VOICE:

S. Davis $38.00G. Gillespie $38.00T. Godhard AM $38.00M. Guffond $38.00Kingswood South Public School $218.30P. Lenton $100.00M. Lloyd $38.00J. MacAskill $50.00D. Marshall $100.00S. Molesworth $100.00G. Mooney $50.00N. Newton $38.00R. Parnell $50.00D. Provest $38.00M. Thomas $38.00Warilla & District Combined $50.00Pensioners Welfare Association

Head Office NewsHead Office News is sent to all Branch Secretaries, Presidents and Treasurers with the instruction to read it aloud to the Branch meeting. Every Branch Member is also entitled to receive a copy. If you would like a copy, please call Head Office on 1800 451 488.

Condition of CPSA Membership

According to the NSW Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (Schedule 1, clause 11(1)(a) and Appendix 1 based on Clause 3(1)), it is a condition of your ongoing CPSA membership that you agree to comply with CPSA’s Constitution including Aims & Objectives.

If you have any questions or would like a copy of the Constitution, please call Head Office on 1800 451 488.

Calling CPSA

CPSA office hours are 9am – 4pm Monday – Friday.

Outside of these hours, and when all lines are busy, calls are answered by the CPSA answering machine. If you reach the answering machine, please leave a clear message with your phone number, so your call can be returned.

Across

1. Restorative when fainting (8-5) 8. Antiquary 9. Yearly10. Finality 11. … Fitzgerald, Am. jazz singer12. Gravestones14. Pause in doubt17. Purple precious stone20. College23. Amaze24. Sanctify25. Decorative montage of tiles26. Inertness27. Not going out (7,2,4)

Down

1. Put into order (4,3) 2. Moral 3. Unhurried 4. Regardless of 5. Madrid is there 6. Lengthier 7. Onion-like plant13. First woman15. 1992 American film (6,3)16. Fuss18. Systems19. Trumpet sound21. … Nelson, English naval commander22. Result24. Desert plants

CROSSWORD by Hilda Thorburn

April2013 www.cpsa.org.au 1800451488 5

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Members’pageAbout CPSA

CPSA is a non-profit, non-party-political membership association founded in 1931 which serves pensioners of all ages, superannuants and low-income retirees.

CPSA has 130 Branches and affiliated organisations with a combined membership of over 29,000 people living throughout NSW.

CPSA’s aim is to improve the standard of living and well-being of its Members and constituents.

CPSA engages in systemic advocacy on behalf of its constituency and also auspices four services: the Health Promotion Service for Older People, the Older Persons Tenants’ Service, the Park and Village Service and a Community Visitors Scheme.

Tech Savvy Seniors

The NSW Government has partnered with Telstra to develop the Tech Savvy Seniors program to encourage more seniors to embrace technology, no matter where they live, how old they are or where their interests lie.

Tech Savvy Seniors provides low cost or free training through community colleges and libraries to older people, particularly in rural and remote areas of NSW.

Educational training DVDs have been designed for those who are new to technology or who want to learn more at their own pace.

The DVDs consist of short, easy-to-follow videos that cover a range of popular technologytopics, including:

• Computing and email• Tablets• Learning e-readers• Using a mobile phone• Internet• Social networking• Internet security• Home networking

DVDs will be sent to CPSA Branches for loan within the Branch. If anyone would like to borrow a DVD directly from CPSA Head Office, please contact us on 1800 451 488 so one can be sent to you.

Interest Free LoansThe No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS®) is a not-for-profit community-based program that provides small no interest, no fee loans to households in need of essential household items such as appliances, furniture and medical equipment.

If you would like more information on accessing a NILS loan, call the NILS® Hotline on 1800 509 994.

CPSA fearlessly campaigns for the rights and interests of its Members.

As a Member of CPSA, you know that we’re working for a better deal for YOU.

Join today!

Visit www.cpsa.org.au or go to page 2

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THE VOICE, CPSA voice@cpsa.org.auLevel 9, 28 Foveaux StSurry Hills NSW 2010

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6 April2013 THEVOICEOFPENSIONERSANDSUPERANNUANTSOFNSW

CPSAMemberBenefit

April2013 www.cpsa.org.au 1800451488 7

CPSACampaignsalone. Those struggling tosurvive on Newstart(including an increasingnumber of over 50s) aretherefore going to be hitevenharder. People aged over 50makeupalmost30percentofpeopleclassifiedaslong-termNewstartrecipients. They face agediscrimination in theworkplace and many areforced to dwindle downanyretirementsavingstheymayhaveaccruedandrelyonthislowerpaymentuntiltheyreachPensionage. CPSA continues to callfor adequate indexing ofNewstart,andforpensionsandNewstarttoberaisedtoalevelwheretheyprovidean adequate standard ofliving.

Council Rate Rebate’s 20 year stallKEEPthepetitionscoming! CPSA has receivedhundredsof signatures forourpetitioncallingfortheNSW Government to lifttheCouncilRateRebate. Thisrebatehasremainedat $250 since it wasintroducedin1993. Paidtoassistpensionerswith paying their Councilrates, there’s no need totell readers that this nolonger goes anywherenear providing enoughassistance with everincreasingrates. Since we launched thepetition,wehavebeentoldby some Members thattheir Councils are givingthemmore than the $250.Andthat’sgreat. CityofSydneyCouncil,for example, providespensioners living in theirarea with a 100 per centrebate. Others we have been

alerted to are providing$300. ItisnosurprisethatitistypicallytheCouncilswithmorefundsavailablewhichare providing a little bitextraforlocalpensioners. Formany, if there is noobligation to do so, theysimplywon’t. It’simportanttonotethatthemajorityofthefundingprovided for the CouncilRate Rebate comes fromtheNSWGovernment. Sowhile someCouncilsmay be on tight budgets,they’renotpaying thebillfor the majority of theRebate. That’s why we’repetitioning the NSWGovernment to lift theirgame. While Council ratesare not directly based onincome,theyaregenerallyconsidered a progressiveform of taxation becausepeople who own morevaluable property tend tobeonhigherincomes. Butthisdoesnotapplytopensioners,whereitactsasaflatratetax. Many pensionersboughttheirhomeinareasthat have since becomeexpensivearoundthemanddon’treflectwhattheypaidfortheproperty. That’sgreat if itwas aninvestment but these arepeople’s homes and theydon’twanttomove. Rightnow it’s a caseofpeople being rated out oftheirhomes. To obtain a copy of thepetitionpleasephoneHeadOfficeon1800451488orgotowww.cpsa.org.au

Get off the road, nan and gramps!ARE YOU in your early70sandstilldrive? Ifso,youare justa fewyears away from being

treated like a doddery oldfool by the agency thatruns driver’s licences inNSW,RoadsandMaritimeServices, RMS for short,theoldRTA. From age 75, you haveto go and see a GP, whowill fill in a form thatlists a number of medicalconditions. Right now, if you haveanyoneofthoseconditions,you are expected (andtrusted) to notify RMS ofthatyourself. But once you turn 75,you become a completelyunreliable geriatric as farasRMSisconcerned. Go and see a doctor ifyoustillwanttodrive! Offensive?Youbet. To make it even moreoffensive,RMSrecognisesthat these annual medicaltestsdon’twork. The medical conditionsonthelistrequirediagnosisbyaspecialist. SoifyourGPhasnothingon file, they tick the boxandyou’refine todrive…foranotheryear. RMS doesn’t say it, butthesetestsarejusttosoftenyouup,sothatyoufeelthatyoushouldgiveupdriving. Ifyouhaven’tdonesobyage 85, RMS wheels outthebiggun:mandatoryon-roadtesting. What’smore,thereisnoevidence, in Australia oroverseas, that mandatoryon-road testing improvesroadsafetyoutcomes. You’ll notice the RMSlogichere. Youhavebeenmedicallytestedfromage75. Obviously, your healthdoesn’t improve between75 and 85, so at 85 youwould expect the medicaltest to be much moreeffectivethanitwasatage85. Butno,younowneedto

doadrivingtestontopofthemedicaltest! Oneinthreepeoplefailsthisroadtest,whichiswhymost people at 85 opt fora licence thatallows themto drive to the shops andback. You can have one ofthose licences withoutdoingaroadtest. If you are in your early70s should you be angryaboutthis? We’ll leave it up to youtodecide.

Strata in strifeWHATwouldyoudoiftheGovernment introduceda law that would allow adeveloper to compulsorilybuy your house, knockit down and build a newone for abig fatprofit,ofwhich you would not seeanything? Well, the Governmentwill leave your housealone, but if you live inan apartment, unit ortownhouse, this is exactlywhat the Government isplanningondoing. Currently,ifadeveloperwantstobuyanentireblockofunitsforredevelopment,he/she must get everyoneintheblocktoagree. Butplannedchangeswillmean that only 75 or 80percentofownershavetoagree. Fancy kicking peopleoutof theplace theyhaveslaved to pay off in thebelief theyhadsecurityoftenure! Ifsellingdoesn’tsuityouforanyreason,tough! Thosereasonsmaybe: *You really like whereyouareliving. * You are too old tomove. * You couldn’t affordsomethingelseinthesamearea. *You think the offer is

Continued from page 1

8 April2013 THEVOICEOFPENSIONERSANDSUPERANNUANTSOFNSW

toolow. This change is going toaffect the very old, verybadly. Typically, they live inolder, low-rise blocks thatdevelopersarekeentoknockdown and replacewith highriseblocks. If the move doesn’t killthem, the only thing theywill be able to buy will bea similar unit in a similarblock, which is also beingeyedoffbyadeveloper. Many will end up innursing homes. Many willdieprematurely. Ifithappenedtopeopleinhouses, therewouldbecivilwar.

Retirement village life may not be as glossy as their brochure suggests MAJOR retirement villagedeveloper Lend Lease haslaunchedanadvertisingblitzmarketing their villages asreminiscent of the 1950s,when you knew yourneighbour and could swingbytoaskforacupofsugar. It’s an idyllic image andpaints retirement villagesas carefree environmentsperfectforretirement. Around 36,000 peopleliveinretirementvillagesinNSW,andwhilemanyenjoyretirement village living,others have wished they’dnevermovedin. CPSAwas contacted by acouple living inaStocklandretirement village in NSW,who have been through a12-month ordeal overmajorstructuralrepairsthatneededdoingintheirunit. Theyweren’tawareoftheproblemstheunithadbeforethey moved in, and if theyweretold,wouldneverhaveboughtit. The couple had to moveinto a smaller unit in thevillageforaround9months,until their unitwas repaired

(havingbeentoldtherepairswouldonlytakearoundthreemonths). The whole affair causedmuchdisruptionanddistress,andthecouplefeelliketheydidn’t get the whole storybefore they handed over$400,000 to the retirementvillage for their unit and$7,000fortheirgarage. Thethingis,theretirementvillage was under noobligationtodisclosethefactthattheunithadhadanumberofstructuralproblems. Most retirement villagesoperate under a deferredmanagementfee/leasemodel. Thismeansyou“buy” theunit at a reduced rate, payongoing monthly fees forvillage upkeep and whenyou move out, you pay thedeferredmanagement fee orexitfee. Youmayalsoshareinanycapital gain on the villagewiththevillageowner. Village entry pricestypically range between$200,000 and $400,000 in

non-metro areas, while inSydney they can be as highas$1million. Weekly fees can rangefrom$10perdayupto$200or $300 per week, it variesdepending on the village’samenities. And this is the main areaof dispute between villageresidents and the operator,becauseongoingfeesmaybeconsideredtoohighandtherecanbealackoftransparencyoverwhatthefeesarebeingspenton. In terms of the exit fee,this is often calculated as2%to3%oftheentryprice,accumulatedover10years. So if you bought into thevillage for $300,000, you’dbeupfora$90,000exit feeafter10years if thefeewascalculated at 3% over thattime. The important thing isto understand the villagecontractbeforemovingin. There are a range of feesthatmayapplydependingonthecircumstances.

For example, feesmay becharged against the formerownerofaunitifthevillagecannotsellit.

Older people left out of the disability schemeTHENATIONALDisabilityInsurance Scheme (NDIS)has been gaining increasingmomentumanditiscertainlyneeded. There is no doubtaboutthat. The aim of the NDIS isto provide adequate supportservices to people withdisability and their carers,regardlessof theirdisability,wheretheyliveandhowtheyobtainedtheirdisability. Atthemoment,thelevelofsupportpeoplecanreceiveislargely contingent on thesefactors andoften, of course,theirabilitytopay. Disabilitysupportserviceshave not been up to scratchforalongtimeandit’sgreatto see some positive actionbeingtakenonthatfront. Where the concern lies isthat people who acquire a

CPSACampaigns

April2013 www.cpsa.org.au 1800451488 9

CPSACampaignsdisability over the age of65willmissout. If youend up needing disabilitysupport at 64, you’recovered, but if you’reunfortunate enough to be66thenit’stoughluckandyou’redumpedintheagedcarebasket. It’s already happeningfor people of all ages andtheresultsareappalling. We have people intheir 20s, 30s and 40sforcedtoliveinagedcarefacilities where they arenot receiving appropriatecare for their needs (andoftenneither are the olderresidents). Thefactisthatalthoughpeople more commonlyrequire a greater level ofassistanceastheyage,that’susually not the case withpeoplewithdisabilities. Therearedifferenttypesof assistance required bypeople with age-relateddisabilities than thosecaused by accidents, forexample. OncetheNDISisupandrunning in full capacity(hopefully sooner ratherthan later), it will makethe inability of the agecare system to deal withdisability effectively evenmoreapparent. Morethan80percentofpeoplebelieveitisunfairtocaptheageat65(accordingto research conductedby the Macular DiseaseFoundationAustralia). While those who areon the scheme before 65will have the option toremain with the NDIS ormoveover to theagecaresystem(dependingonwhatis better suited to theirneeds)thosewhoacquireadisability once they’ve hit65willmissout. CPSA has beenpushing the point that the

NDIS needs to cover allAustralians, not just thoseover65. Andwe’llcontinuetodoso. OlderAustralianswithadisability also need to seea dramatic improvementin the care and supportservicesavailabletothem. The other thing we’vebeen calling for is anindependent complaintssystem. As it stands nowin the draft NDISlegislation,theCEOoftheAgency responsible foradministering the NDIScan determine whether ornot to conduct a review,creating a rather largeconflictofinterest.

Aged care explained: accommodation fees, the Pension, and the family homeCPSAHASreceivedsomecallsaboutthefamilyhomeandwhatcanhappeniftheowner(s)gointoagedcare. Firstly, if a spouse orpartnercontinuestoresidein the home, it will notbe means-tested to assessaged care accommodationfeessuchasabondorrent. Equally, if a dependantlivesinthehome,itwillbeexempt from asset-testingforagedcare. If the owner’s carerreceivestheCarerPaymentandhas lived in thehomefor at least two years, thehome cannot be includedinagedcareassettesting. Finally,ifacloserelativeresides in the home andhas done so for at leastfive years and receives aCentrelinkincomesupportpayment, the home isexempt from aged careassettests. If theownerhas residedinagedcarefor twoyears

and there is no spouse,carerordependentlivinginthehomeorthehomeisnotbeingrentedout,thehomethen becomes classed asanassetunderthepensionmeanstest. The person may thenhavetheirpensionreducedorcutaltogether. Ifapensionertransferredtitle of the family hometo a child (for example),Centrelink will still classthehomeasanassetunderthepensionmeanstest,andreduce or cut the pensionaccordingly. There is a financialhardshipruleforagedcarefees: If, for example, thefamily home needs to besoldtopayforcare,andnoreasonable offer has beenmade, financial hardshipmay apply, and aged carefees may be reduced orwaived. Contact the Departmentof Health and Ageingon 1800 200 422 if yoususpectthisisthecase. Finally, no one but thecarerecipientisrequiredtopayagedcarefees. So, if you are a son ordaughterofacarerecipientandarepayingfeesbecauseyour parent does not havethe means to pay, contactthe Department of Healthand Ageing on 1800 200422 to see if your parentqualifies for financial

hardship. Youmayalsobeabletorecoup some of the feesalreadypaid.

Life of Reilly overseas on the pension?DIDyouseethestoryoftheAustralianpensionerlivinginBaliwhosoldhercreepycrawly and employed ahuman pool cleaner? AllontheAgePension. BeforeyoumovetoBalitoo, here are a few thingstoconsider. IfyousellyourhouseinAustralia,beawarethattheproceedsmay be includedinthepensionincomeandassetstests. Your pension paymentmaybelowerasaresult. If you buy a houseoverseastolivein,youarelikely to have money leftover. If, for any reason at all,you need to go back toAustralia to live,youmaynothaveenoughcapitaltobuybackintotheAustralianhousingmarket. Beawarethatthequalityof the healthcare systemin a developing countryis typically lower thanthe Australian healthcaresystem. Typically, you wouldhavenoinsurancecover,soyouwouldneedtopayformedical care out of yourownpocket. Beawarethatifyoulive

Got a complaint about aged care?

Wecanhelpyounavigatethecomplaintsprocess.

CallSeniorPolicyAdvisorCharmaineCroweat

HeadOfficeon1800451488oremailagedcare@cpsa.org.au

10April2013THEVOICEOFPENSIONERSANDSUPERANNUANTSOFNSW

of US corporations and theimportance of the PBS inensuring that allAustralianshave access to essentialmedications. We also remindedhim of CPSA’s personalassurances by the Hon.Wayne Swan (when Laborwas in Opposition), that hesupported our campaignagainst anything that wouldthreatenthePBS. Dr Emerson assured usthat the Government seesthe PBS as an integral partofAustralia’s health systemandsaidthattheGovernmentwould not approve anyoutcomes which wouldundermineitsintegrity. But nothing is set instone and we need toensure that the AustralianGovernment stands by thePBSanddoesn’tagreetotheproposalsputforwardbythepharmaceuticallobby. If you’d like to find outmoreaboutthecampaignforfair trade not just free tradeyoucancontacttheAustralianFair Trade and InvestmentNetwork(AFTINET)on(02)96993686orgotowww.aftinet.org.au Funeral company increases profits by 65%, thanks to, in part, “higher funeral costs”INVOCARE, an Australiancompany that owns andoperatesfuneralhomes,suchas White Lady, Simplicity,Guardian and EconomyFuneralsaswellascemeteriesand crematoriums aroundAustralia, New Zealandand Singapore reportedlyincreased its profits by alazy $17.5million in 2012to $44.5 million, thanksto increased market share,high death rates, bumpingup prices for funerals and“higherfuneralcosts”. Now surely InvoCare isnot talking about higher

overheads when it says“higherfuneralcosts”. There aren’t too manycompanies that record a 65percentboost toprofitsandattributesuchanoutcometohighercompanycosts. InvoCare must, therefore,be talking about the highercosts it is passing on to itscustomers. Andtherearen’ttoomanycompanieswiththeaudacitytoadmittoliftingitsrevenueby almost 15 per cent byrippingofftheconsumer. Andnotjustanyconsumer,either. Naturally, it’s thebereaved who InvoCarelike to bleed dry. Sound a bit harsh onInvoCare? After all, it is a companylike any other, which has akey objective of making aprofitforshareholders. InvoCare increased itsmarketsharetoanestimated36.1 per cent in 2011,thanks to the AustralianConsumer and CompetitionCommission giving thegreenlighttoitstakeoverofNew Zealand based funeralcompanyBledisloeFunerals. Sincethenithasalsotakenover Tuckers Funerals andResthavenFunerals. Increasing market sharemeans less competition andmorepower for InvoCare toincreaseprices. The number of servicescarriedoutbyInvoCareroseby1.5percent. Inotherwords,notahugeincrease. However, InvoCare’smargins on services rose to25.8percent. That’snotabadmark-upinanyone’sbook. The question is: wouldInvoCaregetawaywithsucha mark-up with strongercompetition? CPSAsuspectsnot.

CPSACampaignsoverseas,theexchangerateoftheAustraliandollarwillmeanthatyourincomewillfluctuate. Currently, theAustraliandollarishigh,butitwillgodownagain. It’sabitlikeborrowingtobuyahousewhen interestratesarelow:don’tborrowtothemax,becauseinterestratesgoupandrepaymentsbecomeunaffordable. While the Australianpensionby itselfwillonlyfundaverybasiclifestyle,itisindexedinsuchawaythat you will always beabletoliveonit. There’snosuchguaranteeifyoumoveoverseas. Developing countriesare…developing, whichmeansthatthey’recatchinguptoAustralia. The rate of the PensionSupplement you receivewill also be reducedif you leave Australiapermanently. Whenyou apply for thepensionyouhave to showthat you live in Australiaandhavelivedhereforthepasttwoyears. If these practicalconsiderations do not putyouoff,considerthis. One of the mostunderestimated effects ofmovingtoanothercountryishomesickness. Ithas todowith lossofcontact with family andfriends,butitalsohastodowithbeinginaplacewherethingsaredonedifferently,whereyou’reanoutsider.

Don’t Trade away the Pharmaceutical Benefits SchemeTHE AUSTRALIANGovernment is currentlynegotiating a free tradeagreement called theTrans-Pacific PartnershipAgreement which theyhopetofinalisebytheendofthisyear. Thispartnershipincludesthe USA, New Zealand,Chile, Peru, Brunei,Singapore, Malaysia,Vietnam, Canada andMexico. Japan hasexpressed interest injoining. There are very realconcerns about whatit will mean for thePharmaceutical BenefitsScheme. Some of the issuesunder discussion areincreased patent rightsfor corporations to chargehighermedicineprices forlonger periods of time, aswell as reduced rights forgovernments to ensureaffordablemedicineprices,through schemes such asthePBS. It is no surprise that thebig US pharmaceuticalcompanies are pushingtheir weight around inthe setting of the healthagenda. In the US, where theGovernmentdoesnothavethe same level of controlover medicine pricing,the wholesale price ofmedicinesisbetweenthreeand ten times the pricespaidinAustralia. Thismakes them out ofreachformanylowincomepeople. CPSA wrote to theMinister for Trade andCompetitiveness, DrCraig Emerson, lettinghim know of our concernabout the heavy influence

April2013 www.cpsa.org.au 1800451488 11

INCOMESECURITY

CentrelinkAge Pension 13 23 00

DSP/Carer benefits 13 27 17Family Assistance 13 61 50

Welfare Rights CentreInfo on Government pensions

and other benefits(02) 9211 53001800 226 028

National Information Centre on Retirement InvestmentsAnything for the small investor and people wondering about

super or how to invest1800 020 110

Financial Ombudsman Services

Complaints about banking, insurance, super, financial

planning 1300 780 808

Industry Fund FinancialPlanning

1300 138 848

Australian Taxation OfficeSuper/Lost super 13 10 20

Personal tax 13 28 61

British Pensions inAustralia

Assistance in claiming the British Pension1300 308 353

No Interest Loans Scheme1800 509 994

RIGHTS

Australian Human Rights Commission

Complaints about discrimination and

harassment 1300 369 711

Commonwealth Ombudsman

Complaints about Australian Government departments and

agencies 1300 362 072

NSW Ombudsman’s Office Complaints about NSW Government agencies

1800 451 524

NSW Trustee and Guardian1300 360 466

Guardianship TribunalFinancial management orders

for people with decision-making disabilities

1800 463 928

Seniors Information Service13 12 44

Consumer Trader & Tenancy Tribunal

Tenancy, trader and consumer disputes13 32 20

Energy & Water Ombudsman (EWON)

Complaints about all NSW electricity/gas retailers and Sydney and Hunter Water

1800 246 545

TelecommunicationsIndustry Ombudsman

Phone and internet complaints 1800 062 058

GOODSANDSERVICE

Telstra Pensioner DiscountFor basic plans only

1800 353 652

NSW Seniors CardDiscounts on goods and services 1300 364 758

NSW Companion CardFree event admission for

companions of eligible people with a disability 1800 893 044

IPART Energy ComparisonCalculator 1300 136 888

HEALTHANDCARE

Commonwealth CareLinkInfo about aged and

community care 1800 052 222

Office of Hearing ServicesSubsidised hearing aids

1800 500 726

Dementia Helpline1800 100 500

Private Health Insurance Ombudsman

Complaints and information1300 737 299

VisionCare NSWSubsidised spectacles

(02) 9344 4122 1800 806 851

Home Care Service NSWDomestic assistance, respite

and personal care 1800 044 043

Rape Crisis Centre24hours/7days 1800 424 017

Health Care Complaints Commission

NSW only (02) 9219 74441800 043 159

Carers NSWInformation, support

1800 242 636Emergency respite

1800 059 059

Aged care information lineResidential and community

aged care information1800 200 422

Aged Care Complaints Scheme

Complaints about residential and community aged care

1800 550 552

LifelineMental health support,

suicide prevention 13 11 14

Beyond BlueDepression and anxiety

information 1300 224 636

Public Dental Health Services

Call NSW Health for details(02) 9391 90001800 639 398

People with DisabilitiesAdvice for people with a

disability(02) 9370 31001800 422 016

Exit AustraliaInformation about euthanasia

1300 103 948

Dying with Dignity NSWLaw reform for assisted dying

(02) 9212 4782www.dwdnsw.org.au

Australian Men’s Shed Association 1300 550 009

HOUSING

CPSA’s Older Persons Tenants’ Service (OPTS)

Advice and advocacy(02) 9566 11201800 131 310

CPSA’s Park and Village Service (PAVS)

Advice and advocacy for residents in residential parks

(02) 9566 10101800 177 688

NSW Department of Housing

Info and applications1300 468 746

Tenants Advice LineMondays 3-6pm1800 251 101

LEGAL

The Aged-care Rights Service including Older Persons’ Legal ServiceAged care and retirement

village advocacy and information and legal advice

for older people.(02) 9281 36001800 424 079

Law AccessReferrals for legal help

1300 888 529

The Law SocietySolicitor and legal firm

referrals1800 422 713

Community Justice Centres Dispute resolution services

for minor matters 1800 990 777

Domestic Violence Advocacy Service

1800 200 526

Family Relationship Centres Relationship and separation information 1800 050 321

Office of the Legal Services Commissioner

Complaints about lawyers and conveyancers 1800 242 958

CPSAInformationDirectory

12 April2013 THEVOICEOFPENSIONERSANDSUPERANNUANTSOFNSW

Giggle PageA dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was ticketed for littering.

He had a photographic memory which was never developed.

A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, ‘ No change yet.’

What’s the definition of a will? (It’s a dead giveaway).

A bicycle can’t stand alone because it is two-tired.

A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.

When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

I’ve been to the dentist many times, I know the drill.

I used to work in a blanket factory but it folded.

Without geometry, life is pointless.

Crossword SolutionsCrossword on page 4

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