PM’s $70m pledge to ease cost of living for more seniors

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has unveiled a plan to help more older Australians with the cost of living. See what’s on the list.

Health care, medications, electricity and gas bills, and public transport are set to become cheaper for some under a new plan to ease the cost of living.

Under a re-elected Morrison Government, an additional 50,000 older Australians would become eligible for a Seniors Health Card from July 1 when it raises the threshold test to $90,00 for singles and $144,000 for couples.

It means a greater number of older Australians would be eligible for cheaper medications and healthcare as well discounts on rates, electricity and gas bills, ambulance, dental, eye care and public transport.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will on Monday make the $70m pledge as part of his cost of living pitch to voters.

Scott Morrison with his wife Jenny Morrison at a Liberal Campaign Rally in Sydney. Picture: Jason Edwards

Mr Morrison credited his “economic plan” for being able to deliver “affordable and practical” cost of living relief for senior Australians.

“This is the first major change, outside of indexation, to the income threshold of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card in over 20 years,” the Prime Minister said.

“Every dollar counts, especially for older Australians who are no longer working. Senior Australians have worked hard to make Australia all that it is today, and it’s important that the country takes care of them in return.”

Currently, more than 436,000 Australians aged over 67 years who are not already receiving a pension or benefit have a Seniors Health Card.

The government expects this would swell to 486,000 if the threshold is changed.

Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said the commitment built on the government’s pledge to reduce the safety net threshold for PBS medications to help concession card holders who need multiple medicines a year.

“We are absolutely committed to supporting older Australians to have affordable access to the medicines and care they need so they can enjoy a happy and healthy retirement,” she said.

Labor on Monday said it would match the policy.

Asked if an Albanese government would back the commitment to lower the cost of medicines for seniors, Labor campaign spokesman Jason Clare said he thought it was a good idea.

“We will back it. People are sick of Labor and the Liberals just saying if one side comes up with an idea the other side will say no to it,” Mr Clare told Sunrise.

“If you’ve got a good idea, we will back it.”

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