The Northern Territory Government is undertaking a review of the Northern Territory Pensioner Concession Scheme. Due to concerns expressed by some seniors, the Department would like to provide an update on the process for consultation, and clarify some misunderstandings.
There will be extensive public consultation on proposed changes to the scheme.
A new scheme will not be introduced until 1 January 2018. A discussion paper is currently being finalised to inform consultation to start mid-July 2017. Planned activities include:
· Face-to-face meetings with interest groups and senior’s specific groups.
· Community information and consultation sessions across urban and regional centres.
· Information provision activity through existing events (such as the show circuit).
· Ongoing consultation with an Expert Reference Group (including representatives from the Council of the Ageing, National Seniors Australia, Association of Independent Retirees, NT Council of Social Services, Vietnam Veterans NT, Somerville and Carers NT), who have reviewed the draft paper and provided advice about how to support seniors, carers and pensioners through concessions.
· Online consultation capability through the Have Your Say NT Government engagement portal.
· Information provision through websites, face-to-face and third party sharing to provide feedback mechanisms.
The $700 every two years is the minimum amount for all seniors. Eligible Pensioners will receive more.
All seniors aged 65 years and over will receive a minimum of $700 each two years. This includes self-funded retirees who were excluded from the scheme by the previous government. Eligible pensioners will receive a higher amount of concessions.
Every care will be taken to ensure extensive consultation occurs and a fairer, more flexible, more equitable and more secure scheme is introduced on 1 January 2018.
A Fact Sheet has been developed to provide information about the review and is available on the Territory Families website.
For more information, contact Territory Families:
Ph: 1800 777 704 or email concessions@nt.gov.au
Territory Families media contact: Christine Bond 8999 2940, 0475 953 571.