The Weatherill Labor Government must ensure it keeps its promise to exempt all pensioners and concession card holders from massive Emergency Services Levy (ESL) increases.
Representatives of the Retirement Villages Association have raised publicly their concerns that some pensioners who have moved into retirement villages may be slugged with the Government’s massive ESL increases.
“Put simply, pensioners within retirement villages should receive the same concessions as pensioners living in their own homes,” said Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas.
“Whilst struggling South Australian families and businesses have been reporting ESL increases of 200, 300 and 400 percent, Mr Weatherill has always promised pensioners would be protected.
“However, it appears the way valuations have been done in the past for some retirement villages might mean some pensioners will not receive the exemption.
“The Weatherill Government must ensure whatever needs to be done to protect these pensioners is done immediately.
“This would appear to be yet another example where Mr Weatherill and Mr Koutsantonis have not properly worked through all of the potential consequences of their massive tax slug.”