A couple of weeks ago, this newspaper published an opinion piece by the federal member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, regarding the government's decision to bypass any scheduled increase in the aged pension this month.
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The government has pointed out the economy's contraction and negative growth that has seen the CPI plummet - meaning no growth so therefore no indexation required.
Ms Chesters said the government's decision not to increase the pension was a blow for pensioners already struggling with the impacts of COVID-19.
"The pension was designed to be a living wage for older Australians. This is completely unrealistic. The Age Pension sits below the poverty line. It's unacceptable."
Aged pensioners receive a maximum of $944.30 a fortnight or $1423.60 for couples. Quite simply, we owe those who built this country into what it is today a better deal.
The subsequent response from pensioners to Ms Chesters column has been astounding.
We've received emails and letters from Australians scattered across this great nation, united in their disappointment, frustration and even despair.
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In the digital era where our stories, letters and columns reach into tens of thousands of Australian households, distance is no barrier. Many respondents admit to being former Bendigo residents who despite having moved away, still carry a flame for the community they know and love.
"I believe the government should increase all pensions - not just age pensions, because we have to live as well. I think pensioners have been left behind," wrote one contributor.
"I believe it is disgusting that the unemployed get so much more than a pensioner as our incomes are permanent. Newstart is only temporary until they get work. We have paid taxes and deserve to be cared for in our retirement. I bet the politicians get a more than generous retirement package," scribed another, all the way from Cooper Pedy.
"I wish the pension was more as the cost of living goes up and everything else with it. By the time you pay rent, food, fuel for the car plus expenses it does not leave money to save. I never had super or anything like that," said another.
Don from Palmerston in the Northern Territory hit the nail on the head.
"Apparently the CPI hasn't gone up, but everyone that shops knows the food bill has increased a fair amount lately."
Another reader was equally direct.
"I think it stinks. Most people who are on the aged pension have lived and worked bloody hard for stuff all wages and bugger all super... And now they get a pension of $944 a fortnight. We have to pay the same price for everything as everyone else, while people who are on the dole get extra and for some of those they wouldn't know what a day's work meant."
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And this from a reader on the Apple Isle.
"I am a disability pensioner. I find living on the support payment is particularly difficulty for single recipients. Buying food for one person is so much more expensive....But most difficult is electricity especially over the winter months."
It's not unusual to hear that utility bills might at least two thirds of a fortnightly pension during the extremes of winter and summer.
There wouldn't be many who would like to walk in the shoes of our aged pensioners for a month, but the invitation from Brian is there.
"I would just like to see all of these so called concerned politicians that set out what to pay a pensioner, maybe try to live on the same money as a pensioner for only 12 months.
"Let's see how well they would go.. personally I don't think so good, they would have no idea how to live week to week."
And perhaps the most heartfelt and concerning letter came from a Kangaroo Flat reader, whose palpable despair cannot be ignored.
"Very disappointing that there's no increase in the pension. It is a struggle. Had I known this years ago I would never have contributed to charities etc or been so generous.
"Why when a single person still has to pay full price for everything when a partner dies and pension is halved. Please explain.
"What have we done to deserve such treatment and made to become second class citizens and lose our integrity. Very sad and it grieves me no end."
It's one thing for the government to say we cannot afford a rise in the pension rate this month, but it would seem we cannot afford for there not to be one either.