At the last election, the Coalition proudly proposed increasing the Work Bonus payment—allowing age pensioners and veterans to earn more without impacting their pension entitlements. I was pleased to campaign on this initiative, which would have doubled the existing Work Bonus from $300 to $600 per fortnight.
Australia is facing critical skills and workforce shortages across many sectors and regions. In the Greater Ipswich Region, we are fortunate to have many age pensioners and veterans with valuable experience and skills who are eager to contribute.
Greater workforce participation among older Australians and veterans would not only boost productivity but also enrich workplaces with their insight and resilience. However, they deserve to keep more of what they earn.
It’s time we supported those who choose to stay active in the workforce—recognising their contribution and removing barriers to participation.
