Greens MPs

The Rudd government has continued this week to fail the 1.2 million Australian aged pensioners, as well as those on disability and veterans benefits.

On Monday, the Greens moved an amendment to the Coalition's bill to increase the aged and veteran pension. The amendment would have seen the $30 a week income boost go to disability pensioners as well, but this was not supported by either the Government or the Coalition.

The momentum to gain an increase for Australia's 1.2 million pensioners seems to be at a peak, with all political parties, except Labor, now supporting at least a $30 rise.

Dr Brendan Nelson this week will introduce to Parliament, a private members bill that will seek to raise the single aged pension by $30 a week.

While the Greens have stated that they will support such a motion, we believe that it has no chance of succeeding given the Opposition's numbers in the House of Representatives. It also appears a little hypocritical of the Coalition to suddenly support the plight of pensioners given that their struggle was ignored in 11 of the Howard Government's budgets.  Peter Costello, in his new book, describes how just a year ago this was not a priority for the Coalition when their party room knocked back the idea of an increase.

Today Bob gave notice that he will re-introduce the Protecting Children from Junk Food Advertising (Broadcasting Amendment) Bill 2008, to ban junk food advertising during children's TV viewing hours. The bill was first introduced by Democrats Senator Lyn Allison.

Despite recent alarming reports that obesity costs the Australian community an estimated $58 billion a year, the government communications regulator ACMA has decided not to impose further restrictions on advertising during children's television hours.

Every now and then an idea comes around which is so perfectly judged that it seems it cannot fail to take off. Jonathon Welch's Choir of Hard Knocks is such an idea, and I am one of millions, doubtless, around Australia to have been moved and inspired by what has been achieved.

As you are all no doubt aware this week is Anti-Poverty Week.

Having the start of Anti-Poverty Week coinciding with the first day of the election campaign has of course been a bit of a political opportunity.

John Howard introduced $34 Billion of tax cuts, but as both Bob and I were quick to point out - simply cutting taxes (or raising tax-free thresholds) is not really going to help out families on low incomes when it comes at the expense of investment in services ... and when its likely to put upward pressure on interest rates.

I am constantly amazed at the Howard Government's lack of interest in the real care and education of our children. Cutting corners on the health and well-being of today's generation of children is a false economy, as the consequence costs to society of poorer lifetime health and lower educational achievements and social engagement are massive. There is a need to focus on areas such as paid parental leave, childcare and early childhood education, and work/life balance provisions within our workplace relations system as ways in which these outcomes can be achieved.

We have seen changes to workplace relations ('Work Choices') that make it harder for working parents to balance their working commitments with their family life; we have seen changes to our welfare system ('Welfare to Work') that takes money and entitlements away from parents on income support and introduces harsh compliance conditions; and we have seen changes to the funding of our schools which creates a two-tiered system that takes money away from public education.

Today the Australian Council of Social Services ACOSS released its Federal Election statement "Towards a Fairer Australia".

The question it poses is simple - if Australia as a nation can't find it in its heart to help out the disadvantaged and ensure a fair go for all Australians during the economic ‘good times', then can we really continue to think of this country as the land of the fair go?

The Australian Greens support the call by ACOSS for a national action plan to address the needs of low income Australians. It fits in with my previous calls in the Senate for a National Anti-Poverty strategy. A good example of the success of such a strategy is given by Ireland.