Media Release

Malcolm Turnbull listens to Cook self-funded retirees

Tuesday 14th July 2009

Leader of the Opposition Malcolm Turnbull’s discussions with local self-funded retirees at a special Cook Community Fourm confirmed that Shire self-funded retirees were feeling the impact of the economic downturn, with no relief from the Rudd Labor Government, Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison said today.

“Under Labor, self-funded retirees have become the new forgotten people of Australia,” Mr Morrison said.

“Local self funded retirees are already reeling from the impact on their retirement savings of the global economic downturn. Unlike many other groups receiving cash handouts, self funded reitrees are receiving nothing in return from the Rudd Government to cushion the impact,” he said.

“In addition they have had to deal with the deposit freeze caused by Labor’s bungling of the unlimited bank deposit guarantee and Labor’s attack on private health insurance that will increase premiums,” Mr Morrison said.

Mr Turnbull took questions from the forum audience on a number of other important issues for self-funded retirees. These issues included:

• availability of rebates for solar panel installation in retirement accommodation

• access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

• protections for retirees from failed investment schemes, such as Storm Financial

• building on the Coalition’s Australian Seniors Tax Offset initiative to provide tax breaks for retirees, who have paid tax all their lives,

• Labor’s withdrawal of dental benefits for retirees

“Thank you to everyone who attended the forum. Forums like these in Cook are an integral part of helping to frame Coalition policy” Mr Morrison said.

“Only a Coalition Government has the track record of standing up for the rights of self-funded retirees and offers the strong economic leadership necessary to get this country back on the right track and out of Labor’s debt quagmire.

“Self-funded retirees deserve greater respect, greater recognition and greater acknowledgement, particularly in these economic tough times,” Mr Morrison said.