Budget makes the fight worthwhile

OPSO congratulates the Rudd government on its aged pension changes. Minister Jenny Macklin and Treasurer Wayne Swann have done what years of the Howard Government have failed to do: ensure the single pensioners were getting the just amount of the pension in relation to the couple’s pension. It is this base rate that had up until now resulted in so much injustice.

The pension increase itself is more than most of us had expected during a recession and for those of us who have battled constantly for a decent increase it comes as recognition that our fight was worthwhile.

The introduction of a choice as to how we individually want our utilities allowance money paid has been heard: fortnightly, quarterly or by the half year…that is now   our individual choice.

We will also be able to draw a bigger advance on our pension for our urgent needs….now up to $1000 for singles, and $1500 for couples and more than once a year.

Adjustment to the amount of money that can be earned before losing any of the pension has been made, and this has been a constant request. Perhaps there can be another adjustment in the future to further encourage seniors back into the part-time workforce.

Implementing the change in age at which one can get the pension to 67 is a long way off…but an excellent measure. At this stage in an ageing society, we need the public blessing of government for older people who wish to remain in the workforce. This should help reduce workplace discrimination and acknowledge the value of seniors.

We will want older workers as society ages, and older workers today needed the Government to indicate approval of their worth in order to reduce present discrimination in the workforce.

Recruitment for PhD Study at The University of Queensland

Older people who watch more than two of television per day are invited to participate in a UQ research study. Paul Gardiner, a PhD candidate from UQ's Cancer Prevention Research Centre, has designed a simple program that encourages older people to be more active.

"Research from our centre has shown that sitting for long periods of time is linked to weight gain, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes," Mr Gardiner said.

"In consultation with older adults, I have developed a program called 'Stand Up For Your Health' which aims to reduce the amount of time people spend sitting each day.

"This is an easy-to-follow program and some of the changes are as small as standing up during advertisement breaks while watching television.

"This is the first time this has been attempted anywhere in the world with older age groups and there is considerable interest from researchers around the world to see how it works," he said.

Participants can complete the program in the comfort of their own home. Applicants must be aged 60 years or more, watch television for two hours or more per day, not be in paid employment, and live on Brisbane's Southside or inner suburbs.

For more information, please contact Mr Gardiner on ph: (07) 3365 5163, mob: 0401 802 534 or email p.gardiner@uq.edu.au