COTA NT advocating for and working towards an age-friendly, just, inclusive and equitable society for all Territorians over 50
COTA NT’s petition called on the Northern Territory Government to review the Territory’s Seniors Concession Scheme after seniors were disenfranchised by the 2014 Budget.
To: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
Request: The Northern Territory Government launch an immediate and urgent review of the Seniors Concession Scheme in order to redress inequities and unfairness inherent in the Scheme with a view to reinstating concessions for seniors throughout the Territory disenfranchised by the May 2014 Budget decision.
Reason: There are over 55,970 seniors residing in the Northern Territory, and the current population of 16,411 seniors over 65 years and over is set to more than double by 2041. Before 2014, all Territory male residents over 65 years and Territory female residents over 60 years were eligible for the Seniors Concession Scheme. In the May 2014 Budget, eligibility restrictions for the Scheme were announced without warning or consultation, meaning that concessions were restricted to holders of Pensioner Concession and Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards only. Effectively, there is no recognition or financial support for any Territory senior who does not meet the criteria of a Centrelink assessment.
“…the revamped NT Concessions Scheme, the most generous scheme of its kind in Australia. The NT Government has increased the budget by 15% and it is the most money
the scheme has seen from any Government.” Sue Shearer, COTA NT CEO, Seniors Voice 14 November 2017