A.I.R.

Sydney - St. George Branch

- Working for Australians in Retirement -

NEWSLETTER- JUNE 2016

Meetings - 9.45 am, Grandviews Bowling Club, 821 Forest Road, Peakhurst
3rd Friday of each month, except December

New Members & Visitors - Welcome

__________________________________________________________________
You are invited to attend the June
meeting of the St George Branch of
A.I.R. on Friday 17th June, starting at
9.45 am.
_______________________________________________________

BUSINESS MEETING
COMMENCING 10 AM
Welcome: To new members & visitors
Apologies:
Confirmation of Previous Minutes:
Minutes of 20th May
Business Arising from the Minutes:
Correspondence:
Secretary to report
Reports:
Treasurer
Membership
Welfare
Future Speakers
Newsletter
President's report
______________________________________________________

GUEST SPEAKER

Mr TONY LOWE
The Georges River
Combined Councils Committee

AGE DISCRIMINATION
COMMISSIONER APPOINTED
COTA has welcomed Dr. Kay Patterson to her role
as Australias new Age Discrimination Commissioner and the reinstatement of full time
commissioners to the age and disability portfolios.
Dr Patterson is a psychologist with expertise in
gerontology and has had extensive experience,
advocating for older Australians.
Dr Patterson has had a long and distinguished
career as a parliamentarian and an academic. She
served as a Senator for Victoria for 21 years and
has held a number of ministerial positions,
including Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister
for Family and Community Services and Minister
Assisting the Prime Minister for Womens Issues.
A.I.R. has written to Dr Patterson, congratulating
her on her new appointment.

ASSOCIATION of INDEPENDENT
RETIREES [ACN -102 164 38]

Sydney - St George Branch

PO Box 377 - Riverwood 2210
Secretary - Pat Hinson: Ph 9554 4113
airstgeorgesec@yahoo.com.au
Membership - Christine Gash:
airstgeorgebmo@yahoo.com.au
Treasurer - Syd Dickinson:
airstgeorgebmo@yahoo.com.au
Welfare - Rod Lynch: Ph 9546 4888
Newsletter Editor - John Palmer:
palmer1@tpg.com.au

AGEING
WORLD CONFERENCE

BUDGET CHANGES
TO DEFINED-BENEFIT SCHEMES

Next week the 13th International Federation of

Ageing World Conference is being held in
Brisbane. Experts from around the world will be
meeting at the Conference to share information
and experiences, to support and manage rapidly
ageing populations world wide.
The Conference is being hosted by COTA in
Queensland. A selection of the many talk titles is
given below. The full program can be seen by
going to the website - ifa2016.org.au

People
on
defined-benefit
superannuation
schemes (DBS) will have their pension payments
affected and possibly reduced, by a number of
changes that were announced in the May budget.
DBS schemes are mainly used to provide
pensions for life to retired employees in Federal
and State government departments, universities,
federal and state MPs and the legal professions,
including judges. The changes are designed to
make sure that persons in these schemes are as
equally affected, as people with accumulationbased superannuation.
From July 1st next year, members of DBS will be
subject to the $250,000 threshold for the high
income contribution tax. Pension payments over
$100,000 a year, paid to members of unfunded
DBS, will also be taxed at the full marginal rate
from the same time, to replicate the impact of the
proposed $16 million transfer balance limit for
people on accumulation schemes. For members of
DBS that are funded, 50% of the pension over
$100,000 will be taxed at the individual's marginal
tax rate.
In announcing the changes, the Treasurer said
that less than 1% of DBS members in the
retirement phase would be affected. Many DBS
schemes have been closed to new members for
some years.
The changes will also affect
members of DBS who wish to make concessional
contributions into accumulation schemes. This is
to make sure that they effectively comply with the
lower $25,000 year caps on contributions that will
affect workers in conventional schemes. The nonconcessional contributions to DBS schemes, made
since July 2007, will also be included in the
$500,000 lifetime cap.
The Government said the DBS changes were
intended to make the system more equitable and
sustainable. It also said it would consult with
industry and DBS clients to avoid any unintended
consequences of these proposed changes.
________________________________________

SELECTION OF CONFERENCE TITLES

Older women & homelessness.
Single ageing women & housing security.
Ageing stronger & living longer.
Elder abuse. Training & awareness.
Forget me not. Home based training for early
dementia elders.
Trust your instinct. Elder abuse.
Driver's health check-up for citizens aged over 70.
Ageing & mobility in car dependent societies.
______________________________________

A.I.R. CALLS FOR AN END

TO SUPER UNCERTAINITY
Ahead of the July election, A.I.R. is calling on all
political parties and candidates to strongly support
the implementation of a firm, unambiguous policy
on superannuation and put an end to introducing
frequent changes which has created an environment of fear and uncertainty for retirees.
Sue Hart, who is A.I.R.'s Executive Officer, has
issued a Media Release, in which she said,
"There is a high level of concern amongst people
who are retired or are currently planning for their
retirement. The long-held principle of grandfathering superannuation changes to protect those
who are in, or are approaching retirement, was
undermined by the 2016 Budget. The Treasurer's
claim that the new Superannuation Budget
measures are not retrospective, is playing with
semantics."
She added, "A.I.R. is of the opinion that neither the
current Government nor the Opposition are without
fault in this area. Although successive Federal
Governments have committed to encourage and
support those who self-fund their retirement, in
practice Federal Governments have consistently
failed to adequately support those in the retirement
or drawdown pension phase, by restricting
benefits, and by not providing the support they
have committed to.
Ms Hart concluded the Media Release with the
comment, "Whatever the outcome of the election,
it is imperative that the new Government undertakes a complete review of Australias taxation and
retirement income system."

CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

PUSHING FOR A SENATE INQUIRY
INTO THE ABC AND SBS
The Christian Democratic Party has joined the
debate on the funding of Pubic Broadcasting and
the perception of left wing bias in the ABC and
SBS.
Ms Nella Hall who is a CDP member in the
Senate, representing NSW, said, "The ABC and
SBS have shown persistent left wing coverage of

Australian political issues, such as unisex

marriage, climate change and multiculturalism.
In the July Federal Election, the Christian
Democratic Party is fielding 47 candidates in both
the Senate and Lower House.

__________________________________
MAY SPEAKER

GLADYS BEREJIKILIAN MP
The NSW Government Treasurer, Gladys
Berejikilian, began her talk by congratulating Mark
Coure MP for his Liberal Party work in the local
electorate of Oatley. She then reminded members
of the progress that has been made in the NSW
economy during the five years of Liberal Party
Government.
She told members that the Liberal Party came into
Government inheriting a poor economy and has
had to make many tough decisions.
1) For example, there were 850 boards, agencies
and advisory groups that needed to be reduced.
2) To assist the working public the Opal card was
kept unchanged for the following 12 months.
3) Health Services were taking up 30% of the
State Budget and needed reform.
4) Tax Reform. On the pressing need for tax
reform, Ms Berejiklian addressed the question,
"Are the present taxation responsibilities for the
Federal and State Governments satisfactory?". As
an example, Ms Berejiklian said that while the
NSW State meets hospital costs the Federal
Government pays for Medicare. She felt there
needs to be more clarity in State and Federal tax
roles, as modernisation in government proceeds.
At this point Ms Berejiklian replied to a number of
questions from members. Robert Curley asked
what process is being made to get the financial
balance right for retirees and ensure retirees
retain access to essential services? Ms Berejiklian
replied that the NSW Government appreciates the
financial predicament of many retirees and
assured members that concessions will not
change on the Seniors Card. Peter Meers asked
whether electricity privatisation had made
electricity cheaper for consumers. Gladys
explained that there was no simple answer, as
electricity cost has many components. In NSW,
poles and wires are 51% Government owned.
Transgrid is owned by the Canadian Pension
Fund. Ozgrid is 50% Government owned. as is
Endeavour and Essential is 100% Government
owned. All Electricity companies must comply with
the Independent NSW Regulator.
Electricity
licencing will be controlled by the NSW
Government for the next 99 years, and the
Independent Regulator should be putting
downward pressure on prices.

Ms Berejiklian then talked about NSW Education

and the Social Impact Bonds that have been
issued to help disadvantaged children. 20,000
children are presently Out of family care, and
since setting up the Bonds Scheme there has
been a success rate of 67% in re-uniting families,
up from 27%. The Government is planning to issue
a new prospectus to encourage others to buy
social bonds. She told members that while The
Government sets the rules, Community Groups do
the actual work with the children and also offer the
incentives.
At the end of her talk, the issue of local council
amalgamation was raised. Ms Berejiklian said that
under the present plan Sydney would reduce the
number of local councils from 42 to 21. She
reminded members that councils are very costly to
run.
On behalf of the members, Paul Flynn moved a
vote of thanks to Ms Gladys Berejikilian for giving
a very comprehensive and informative talk.

_________________________________________

GENTLEMEN
ANOTHER REASON
TO TIGHTEN YOUR BELT!
Men aged 50 or more can significantly cut the risk
of developing prostate cancer by losing fat around
their waist. Recent research in Europe has
revealed that men who reduced their waist size by
only 10 cm were 13% less likely to develop the
most deadly form of prostate cancer.
Scientists at Oxford University examined and kept
records of 142,000 men from eight European
countries with an average age of 52 yrs. After 14
years, they found that 7,000 had developed
prostate cancer and of these 943 had died.
Examining this result showed that men with a
waist measurement of 94 cm or more, were the
most likely to develop prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer has no established cause, but
diet, genes, hormones and the environment may
all play roles and the risk increases with age.
Simon Grieveson, the head of research funding at
'Prostate Cancer' in the UK, said "Unlike other risk
factors, being overweight is something that men
can control by dieting."
Source: 'The Times', London.
____________________________________________

GUEST SPEAKER
The second half of the meeting will
commence at 11 am and consist of a talk
to be given by Mr Tony Lowe, with the title;

The River Keeper

3

POST-STROKE ASPRIN

'CHRISTMAS IN JULY' LUNCHEON

Taking low dose aspirin as soon as possible

after a stroke is an important way to reduce
stroke recurrence. A Perth neurologist,
Professor Graeme Hankey, has reported that
research at Oxford University in the UK, has
shown this simple measure can reduce the
chance of getting another stroke by about
80%.
Source: The Lancet 2016.
_____________________________________

Following the AGM meeting on Friday 15th July,

members are invited to go to lunch in the
Grandview
Bowling
Club
dining
room,
commencing at 1 pm. This special July 'Christmas
Lunch' is a popular annular event and the
Committee looks forward to a good attendance.
The cost will be $25 per person, with payment to
be made in advance by cash in an envelope, given
to Jean Peters at the meeting this Friday, 17th
June.
_______________________________________

PALLIATIVE CARE
AN ELECTION ISSUE

THE ST GEORGE BRANCH

OF A.I.R. LTD

Leading up to the July Federal Election, both the

Liberal Party and the ALP have now made a
commitment to promote palliative care, to ensure
Australians have better choice and control over
where and how they live out their final days.

Sincerely Thanks

LANHAM INVESTMENT
ADVISORY P/L

The Federal Health Minister, Sussan Ley, recently

outlined the Government's commitment to giving
priority to supporting palliative care in peoples
homes rather than hospitals.

Investment Advisory Service - Ph 9580 7222

&

Catherine King, the Shadow Minister for Health,

has announced that an ALP Government would
invest $35 million over four years to roll out new
models for palliative care, including the trial of a
new 'Palliative Care at Home Package', designed
to support people who wish to stay at home at the
end of their lives.

MUNRO SPAUL
Your Accounting Service - Ph 9570 8999

FOR THEIR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

IN THE PRINTING
& DISTRIBUTION OF THIS
NEWSLETTER

Palliative Care Australia (PCS) has welcomed the

ALP initiative. PCA Chief Executive Officer, Liz
Callahan, said, The trial of packages for 4,000
Australians who are receiving palliative care will
hopefully mean these people can be supported to
die at home, if they wish. The new trial will allow
closer examination and evaluation of the care
model and perhaps it will lead to a national roll
out.
The Silver Chain Group, a community health and
care services organisation, which provides
community based palliative care nationally, is also
supportive of the recent commitment from both
major political parties to increase investment in
palliative care services at a Federal level.
Silver Chain Group chief executive officer, Dr
Christopher McGowan said, Although studies
have shown that 70% of people wish to die at
home, sadly 50% of people who die in Australia,
do so in a hospital bed, with a further 35% dying in
a residential aged care facility. Only 15% of
Australians die at their place of choice, which is
home.

The
Association
of
Independent
Retirees (A.I.R.) Ltd takes no
responsibility for the views expressed in
articles, extracts thereof or advertisements.
Branch newsletters are intended to
relay information only, not give specific
advice, or make recommendations.