1,400 WAR WIDOWS TO RECEIVE PENSION INCREASE IN LOCAL AREA

Approximately 1,400 war widows and widowers in the Richmond electorate will benefit from an increase in pension payments and from new indexation arrangements under significant measures introduced by the Federal Liberal-National Government, Senator Fiona Nash said today. Senator Nash explained the current non-indexed pension component of $25 a fortnight – formally called a domestic allowance – will increase by $10 a fortnight to $35 from March next year. This payment will also now be indexed with reference to both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) from March 2008. These latest initiatives are in addition to the $330 million veterans affairs disability pension enhancement package announced by the Prime Minister during the recent RSL National Congress, bringing the total combined package to more than $470 million. “This Government has always placed significant importance on the need to ensure our war widows and widowers receive the support they deserve in recognition of the impact the premature loss of a spouse can have,” Senator Nash said. “1,391 widows and widowers in the Federal electorate of Richmond will benefit from these measures which will increase the value of this pension component and ensure its real value is maintained through indexation.” Senator Nash highlighted the fact Labor has only announced it will index the $25 payment from September 2008, but has made no mention of increasing it. Media contact: Julie Siegert 0429 818 600

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