Survey says social security system is about right
5th September, 2012
A survey of Wide Bay residents has revealed strong support for higher age pensions and more benefits for self funded retirees, but most people think that the Australian welfare system has got the balance about right. Wide Bay’s Community Survey 2012 was undertaken by the Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, attracting more than 4100 responses from residents across the electorate in areas including Noosa, Gympie, Maryborough and the South Burnett.
“41% of those who responded to the survey said that they felt the welfare system in Australia had the balance about right, compared with 39% who thought it was too generous, and 20% who said it was not generous enough,” Mr Truss said.
“41% thought the conditions placed on receiving Centrelink benefits were about right, but 49% said they were not tough enough, and 10% felt they were too harsh.
“30% of people who responded said they knew of someone cheating the welfare system, 69% said they did not know anyone and 1% were unsure,” Mr Truss said.
“74% said the age pension should be increased but only 35% would support higher taxes to fund higher pension payments (50% against). 42% said they would support higher taxes to fund more discounts to pensioners on government services including vehicle registration fees, council rates etc. 68% wanted more fringe benefits for self funded retirees.”
In a similar study in 2009, 78% of respondents said that the age pension should be increased but only 29% were prepared to pay higher taxes to fund an increase.
“When asked what the money should be spent on if the government continues to borrow money to fund its spending, only 26% said pension increases, compared with 50% for health, and 50% for roads, road and infrastructure. Only 2% said borrowing should be spent on cash bonus payments and 7% to deliver tax cuts.
“27% of those who responded to the survey said they expected to be able to fund their own retirement, 50% said they would not and 16% were unsure.”
