Pensioners will  get a pension boost from July 2012. !!!!!!!!!!!
The federal government will boost the pension for single pensioners by $500 a year and for married pensioners by $760 per couple.

This is above and beyond the twice-yearly boost to pensions in March and September due to inflation.

This will offset  up the increase in prices after the implementation of Climate Change legislation.

Pensioners have been warned to do their research before taking out funeral insurance. Figures show some are paying more than $100,000 in premiums over several decades .Combined Pensioners Association policy officer, Antoine Mangion, said a more affordable model would be to opt for a pre-paid funeral, funeral bond or savings.
Source: The Senior News May 2011

● $203.4 million in 2010-11 (an increase of $48.3 million over 2009-10) to fund 401 new supported accommodation places. Over the period 2006-07 to 2010-11 there will be an additional 1,370 places, with costs over the five years totalling $590 million

● $26.2 million in 2010-11 (an increase of $2.9 million over 2009-10) to prevent young people entering nursing homes, improve the circumstances of younger people in nursing homes and develop alternative models of support for young people living in nursing homes. Over the period 2006-07 to 2010-11 $80 million will be have been spent

● $6 million in 2010-11 to provide alternative accommodation support for people with a disability located in Boarding Houses;

● $71 million in 2010-11 (an increase of $13.3 million over 2009-10) to increase support from three days a week to four days a week (and five days for people with very high support needs) for people with a significant disability who leave school but are unable to enter the workforce. Over the period 2006-07 to 2010-11, an estimated 6,240 people will be supported via the Agency’s post school programs at a cost of $235.3 million

● $42.4 million in 2010-11 (an increase of $4.8 million over 2009-10) for an additional 103 attendant care (intensive in-home support) places. Over the period 2006-07 to 2010-11 an additional 612 places will be provided at a cost of $120.1 million

● $11 million in 2010-11 (an increase of $2.7 million over 2009-10) to provide intensive support packages for children and young people and their families. Over the period 2006-07 to 2010-11 an additional 1,840 packages will be provided at a cost of $31.2 million

● $14.2 million in 2010-11 (an increase of $2.3 million over 2009-10) for additional therapy places. Over the period 2006-07 to 2010-11 therapy places will increase by 2,880 at a cost of $40.6 million

● $34.3 million in 2010-11 (an increase of $2.4 million over 2009-10) to provide 159 new flexible respite packages. Over the period 2006-07 to 2010-11 an additional 2,243 packages will be provided at a cost of $110.7 million

● $11 million in 2010-11 (an increase of $1.2 million over 2009-10) for day program places. An additional 780 places will be provided over the period 2006-07 to 2010-11 at a cost of $33.3 million

● $5 million over four years ($1.5 million in 2010-11) to provide intensive assistance for 410 children and their families with managing problem behaviours, both at home and at school

● $585.8 million in 2010/11 (an increase of $48.1 million over 2009-10) for HACC services which include domestic assistance, social support, meals, transport, case management and respite

● $2 million in 2010/11 (an increase of $2.0 million over 2009-10) for additional support and early intervention for autism.