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April 19 2013 ISSUE 133
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“It’s rent gouging” Greens and Labor take stand against rent increase BASIL NAIMET
P
ensioners, war widows, and people living on low incomes in public housing across New South Wales have had their rents increased by the State Government to factor in the carbon tax rebate as an income source. In March last year pensioners across the country received a fortnightly increase of just under $36 for singles and $54 for couples as part of the rebate. Member for Marrickville, Carmel Tebbutt, says the increased payment to pensioners in March was a welcomed relief, but now the State Government is taking advantage of this payment at a difficult time for residents. “With winter around the corner, pensioners in Marrickville could have really done with a little extra money to help pay the electricity bill,” she said. It is understood that letters have been sent from the Minister for Family and Community Services informing pensioners and people on low incomes of the increase. Pru Goward, the Minister for Family and Community Services, says social housing tenants continue to have their rent subsidised by the State Government. “Social housing tenants pay 25 to 30 per cent of their income in rent, with the remainder [of rent] subsidised by the NSW Government,”she said. However the Greens candidate for Grayndler, Hall Greenland, says the O’Farrell Government won’t make much money from the rent rise. “The carbon tax rebate the Federal Government is giving pensioners is compensation for government induced increases in power bills. It’s hard enough for pensioners with housing costs going up, but this [rent increase] is ridiculous and unacceptable – It’s gouging,” he said. The money the O’Farrell Government will gain from the rental increase is a nominal amount, somewhere in the vicinity of 10 per cent or approximately $2.50 per person.
STATION STOUCH Upgrades to Sydenham train station funded by the State Government are now complete, but Marrickville Council is not completely happy with the result. Council claims that access to the station from the adjacent bus stop is difficult for people with a disability and want the issue to be fi xed.
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Pensioners in public housing will be hit by a rent increase from the State Government.
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