Greens Leader Bob Brown today said National Seniors Association Chairperson, Everald Compton, is right to call for more action from Labor and the Coalition on the environment and pensions.
 
"The Greens vote has been climbing in the polls, driven by growing concern about climate change and the pulp mill. Polling shows climate change and the environment are of huge concern to Australians and seniors are no exception," Senator Brown said.
 
"Labor and the Coalition back more coal mines and uranium exports and the destruction of 200,000 hectares of forests for Gunns' polluting pulp mill. The Greens are the only party offering voters a comprehensive plan to tackle climate change at this election."
 
Senator Brown said seniors had also welcomed the Greens' policy to increase the aged pension by $30 a week. The Greens proposal would cost $3 billion a year and would be funded by scrapping the Coalition's $3.5 billion tax cuts for people earning over $75,000 year, announced in May.
 
"There hasn't been a substantial increase in the aged pension since 1993. A single pensioner lives on $268 a week, or $13, 936 a year. That is not enough to live on. Kevin Rudd and John Howard should support the Greens call for a $30 a week increase for Australia's 2 million pensioners," Senator Brown said.
 
Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603