Walkers set the pace at Seniors Week Activities.
By natasha | August 7, 2008
The Australian Pensioners and Superannuants League of Caloundra will host their “9th Amateur Fun Walk for the Over 50’s & Friends” this year. The Golden Beach based club hosts the annual Walk as part of Sunshine Coast’s Queensland, Seniors Week celebrations proving the Senior’s Week motto “The Time of Your Life.”
On Sunday of Seniors Week 24st of August, walkers will enjoy our beautiful coastal strip as they traverse the 4kms from the Oasis Resort along the Golden Beach Esplanade and foreshore to finish at the Power Boat Club. The Walk entrance fee is $7.00. Participants enjoy a free breakfast before the official presentation with coast identity Benny Pike as MC.
The Walk is separated into age groups from 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80+ as well as a wheelchair/electric scooter class and team event, with the first three winners for males and females in each category receiving a trophy and prizes. All participants are entered into a lucky tag draws with dozens of prizes from local business who proudly sponsor the event.
President Frank Gower said, “From humble beginnings our members have worked hard to ensure the walk’s growth over the last several years and it has now become one of the Coasts major Senior’s events with over 300 participants. To host an event like this takes a lot of team effort and planning. We have a wonderfully dedicated membership base and many fantastic sponsors that all pull together to make the day a success.”
For more information or If you’d like to come join in, walkers can register on the day from 7am at the Oasis Resort Golden Beach or call Frank on 54927134 or Del on 5439 0934.
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APSL & Telstra Connect Seniors
By natasha | July 2, 2008
The APSL have been successful in obtaining a Grant from Telstra Connected Seniors. A part of this grant we are offering members of the APSL and seniors in the community to participate in a fun and interactive course ‘An Introduction to Mobiles’.
This will be a two part morning course to be held on August 12 and 19, 2008 and is absolutely FREE. The course will be run by The Comet Editor, Natasha Anich. Spaces are limited so register your interest by contacting Kristine at the office on 07 3844 5878.
For more information take a look at the Events page.
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Pensioners urge for a Pension Fuel Discount Scheme.
By natasha | June 30, 2008
A recent branch meeting of the Logan City Australian Pensioners’ and Superannuants’ League, Qld Inc. (APSL) moved a resolution to lobby government to try and get some relief from the pain of the rising costs of fuel.
The APSL State Office fully supports the resolution which states:
The dramatic increases of the price of petrol continue to add remarkably to the existing financial burden of pensioners. Therefore, we call upon Government to introduce a ‘Pension Fuel Discount Scheme’ which will, upon presentation of appropriate authentication, provide all pensioners with a 45 percent (45%) discount of any amount otherwise payable to fuel their motor vehicle.
The motion was passed and carried.
State Secretary of the APSL, Joy Ferguson, says that “the living expenses of pensioners keep rising whilst pensions fail to keep pace. A fuel discount scheme would certainly be a big help for all pensioners”.
Ray Ferguson, Policy Coordinator calls for “an appropriate discount for pensioners and seniors regarding fuel would greatly assist them in maintaining contact with the community and in particular with their families and friends.”
“Mobility for pensioners is essential in maintaining a proper community lifestyle, particularly where public transport is not available or is inadequate.”
The APSL will pursue the suggestion of a ‘Pension Fuel Discount Scheme’ with the relevant government departments and bodies.
Topics: Lobbying activities | No Comments »
4th Edition published of “Abuse of Older People” Book.
By natasha | June 25, 2008
The world community will once again be reminded of the types of abuse older people face on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - June 15.
It is a sad fact that there are older people in our communities who are being abused, mostly by people who in one way or another exercise some power over them. It is estimated that some 27,000 older people in Queensland are abused each year by someone they trust.
The Australian Pensioners’ and Superannuants’ League, Qld Inc. (APSL) has been involved with communicating the rights of older Australians for many years. This year the League has released the Fourth Edition of the publication Abuse of Older People. This book was first released in 1995 and is sponsored by the Public Trustee of Queensland.
The booklet is intended to help older people whose rights are not being treated with the respect they deserve, or those who may be concerned that others could be in this situation and need help.
The booklet sets out:
- the legal rights of older people
- the forms such abuse can take, and some of the causes of abuse
- what actions might help avoid abuse
- what can be done when abuse does happen
- which agencies older people can turn to for help, and how to contact them.
In particular, Abuse of Older People explains the need for older people to have an Enduring Power of Attorney and cautions individuals about whom to trust with this important role.
To arrange a copy of Abuse of Older People, please contact the APSL on 07 3844 5878 or email apsl@apsl.com.au.
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APSL supports electricity consumer action plan
By natasha | June 3, 2008
The Australian Pensioners’ and Superannuants’ League, Qld Inc. (APSL) supports the Consumer Action Plan initiative of the Department of Mines and Energy. Following the decision by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) to increase the maximum price cap for electricity, steps taken to ensure that the financial burden for pensioners and low income earners will be limited is welcomed.
We support:
- The Increase in the State Government’s rebate for pensioners and seniors to match the electricity price rise – the rebate is currently around $145 a year;
- The $450,000 over 3 years to fund a consumer advocate service for the Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) to conduct energy consumer research and to take the views of pensioners and people in financial hardship directly to the body that determines the electricity price cap, the QCA.
- Immediate secondment of a departmental officer to work with QCOSS and other key consumer groups such as the Queensland Consumers Association and ourselves to help set up the consumer advocacy service;
- EnergyWise kits for pensioners, seniors and low income earners with tips to help them save energy and save money
The APSL accepts the invitation from the Minister of Mines & Energy to be one of the partners in the Consumer Advocacy Service and we look forward to working cooperatively with the Minister and other stakeholders in the group for the maximum benefit of pensioners, seniors and low income earners.
Joy Ferguson, State Secretary of the APSL says “since the introduction of Full Retail Contestability (FRC) of energy since July 2007, pensioners and other disadvantaged people have been worse off in terms of costs, services and general confusion regarding the overall effects of FRC.”
“We are yet to be convinced that FRC as a result of the National Competition Policy will deliver cheaper energy and better services to pensioners and consumers in general”.
Topics: General | No Comments »
What about the Disability Support Pensioners?
By natasha | May 25, 2008
- forgotten by the Federal Government again.
Disability Support Pensioners are subject to the same Income and Assets tests as aged pensioners, receive almost the same amount in pension as an aged pensioner (over 21 years of age) yet were left out as far as the latest Federal Budget was concerned.
Quite often Disability Support Pensioners are living alone and because of their disability face more difficulties. Their disabilities may prevent them from engaging in work, in addition to this lack of income they lack in community involvement and lifestyle. More often than not they rely on direct family and friends in terms of support for mobility.
The Australian Pensioners’ and Superannuants’ League (APSL) urges the Federal Government to treat Disability Support Pensioners equally as aged pensioners in all aspects. If a review in the base aged pension level takes place, and it should, then the same should be adopted for Disability Support Pensioners.
The $500 bonus that will be provided to every Australian in receipt of an income support payment over age pension age should also be delivered to those on Disability Support Pensions.
It has come to the attention of the APSL from a Disability Support Pensioner that the prescriptions allowance has not increased in five years, whilst other allowances have been adjusted.
Ray Ferguson, Policy Coordinator of the APSL says “The APSL gives equal attention and support to Disability Support Pensioners as we do with the aged and other pensioners and we consider that all of them have been neglected by past and present governments”.
“This segment of the pensioner group is doing it just as tough, if not tougher in some instances than other pensioners. They deserve a little respect and the provision for a more comfortable living”.
For more information about this post please contact Raymond Ferguson, Policy Co-ordinator on (07) 3844 5878.
Topics: General, Lobbying activities | Comments Off
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