THE VOICE OCTOBER 2012

1 October2012 THEVOICEOFPENSIONERSANDSUPERANNUANTSOFNSW

1THE

VOICECelebrating80yearsofservice

OF PENSIONERS AND SUPERANNUANTS OF NSWPrint Post Approved PP235387100064 ISSN 10353615 October 2012

WE HAVE the beginning of an Australia-wide universal dental health scheme. The Gillard Government has honoured its agreement to the Greens, who in 2010 made dental reform a condition for their support of the Gillard Government. This is what has been announced, starting 1 July 2014 and funded for four years: First, more money ($1.3 billion) will go into State and Territory public dental services for approximately 5.4 million adults who hold healthcare cards. Second, there will be $225 million in grants for infrastructure and workforce development to support expanded services in outer metropolitan, rural, regional and remote areas. These two programs, which will start on 1 July 2014, will be funded by money freed up through the immediate cancellation of the Medicare Chronic Diseases Dental

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Got a complaint about aged care?

We can help you navigate the

complaints process.

See page 5

OzDENTAlREFORm

YOUTOOCANSAVEONTOOTHPASTE


CPSAExecutive(as at 2.11.2011)

Grace Selway OAM CPSA President

Bob JayCPSA Secretary

Betty ChamberlainCPSA Treasurer

Bill HollandSenior Vice PresidentAssistant Treasurer

George RayVice President

Sue LatimerAssistant Secretary

Shirley BainsJanet CoxonMargaret Craven-ScottJim GraindaMarie Mihell Colin VernonBarbara Wright

THEVOICEOF PENSIONERS AND SUPERANNUANTS OF NSW

Phone: 1800 451 488Fax: (02) 9281 9716Email: [email protected]: Amelia Christie, Charmaine Crowe, Antoine Mangion & Paul VersteegePrinter: MPD, Unit E1, 46-62 Maddox Street, Alexandria NSW 2015

All content prepared by the editorial and production team unless indicated.

THE VOICECPSA, Level 9, 28 Foveaux StSurry Hills NSW 2010

Disclaimer

No responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of information contained in advertisements or text supplied by other organisations or individuals and/or typographical errors.

CPSA does not support or promote the products or views in paid advertising.

lettersLittle known about electricity help for those with medical essentialsTHERE seems to be complete ignorance at large about the availability of the recently introduced Essential Medical Equipment Payment (EMEP). A prime example of this lack of awareness occurred at our recent attendance to our service provider who was unaware of the payment. Such information is worthy of publication in THE VOICE.

R.K. Baker Patonga

Since 1 July 2012 people with high home energy costs due to a reliance on essential medical equipment are able to claim this annual payment of $140. Eligible items include (but are not limited to) home dialysis machines, respirators, electric wheelchairs and insulin pumps. People who have a specified medical condition

and require heating and/or cooling in the home to regulate body temperature may also qualify. Ed.

Centrelink online services more trouble than they’re worth?I HAVE to report income and assets regularly and used to do this by phone. There would be advantages in doing this online if only their website was simpler to negotiate. I’m sure if I am having trouble, many others must be too! There is a number – 132 468 – to ask for help, and one person was very helpful, when I finally got through to her. However, it did not solve the problem completely. I still did not manage to register. The number – 132 300 for “aged seniors” – makes you go around and around in circles, and one has to wait for 45 to 50 minutes, plus there is no facility there to register your changes over

the phone. There should be a phone number to update your details of income and assets, apart from the website. I suspect that Centrelink has cut down on staff, which may be the cause of all this debacle. I would appreciate you trying to negotiate with the Department on behalf of so many of us.

Sue Molesworth Summer Hill

CPSA has written to the Minister for Human Services, Kim Carr, calling for Centrelink’s website to be more user-friendly. Ed.

Caravan park residents bullied by managementAS A previous member of the Retired Union Members Association of SA, a friend of mine has moved to NSW and now resides in a caravan park. She has sent me a number of

Donations,Bequests,membershipandTHEVOICEsubscriptions

membershipisopentoallwhosupporttheaimsandobjectivesofCPSA

I’d like to renew my Membership or join CPSA as a Member and enclose my individual Membership fee of $12 (Includes a free annual subscription to THE VOICE, valued at $25.00). I agree to be bound by the CPSA Constitution and uphold the Objectives and Policies of CPSA. I support the CPSA Objectives. I have not previously been expelled from CPSA or, if I have been expelled, I have attached a copy of my CPSA Executive exemption. Please send me information about my nearest Branch. I do not wish to join CPSA but would like to subscribe to THE VOICE (1 year—$25.00 incl. GST). I belong to an organisation and would like information about how we can become a Branch or an Affiliate of CPSA. (NB: Branches are covered by CPSA’s $10 million Public Liability Insurance). I wish to make a donation of $______ (All donations above $2 are tax deductible). Please send me information about THE VOICE gift subscriptions. I wish to make a bequest to CPSA in my Will. Please send me information.Name:_____________________________________________________________________________Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________State:_____________Postcode:__________Phone: ______________________________Email:_________________________________________Payment details (for credit card): Visa Mastercard Name on card:__________________________Card Number:___________________Expiry:_________Amount:______________________ Signature:_____________________________________________

Please send to: CPSA, Level 9, 28 Foveaux St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Letters are personal views only and do not necessarily reflect CPSA policy. Ed.

October2012 www.cpsa.org.au 1800451488 3

cuttings about the problems she and the residents have encountered with the management of local caravan parks. One such clipping was an article featuring the residents of two caravan parks on the Tweed Coast who say they are being bullied by an owner who wants them out. A group of people living in the caravan parks, many of whom are elderly with little means to move elsewhere, have accused the owner of harassing them to move out of their older vans to make way for new villas. Fair Trading has been called upon to investigate the problems. It seems like it could be a common issue in caravan parks generally in NSW and I don’t think the situation is much better in other states.

Vic Potticary Torrensville, SA

People who are experiencing problems within a caravan park are encouraged to call CPSA’s Park and Village Service (PAVS) on 1800 177 688. Ed.

Registration of Vehicle in One Name OnlyRecently my husband and I attended the Bankstown Roads and Maritime Office [formerly the RTA] to transfer the registration of a vehicle which we bought in both our names. We were informed by the lady who served us that this was no longer possible and we could

only register the vehicle in one name. We were surprised by this new ruling as we had only a few weeks beforehand registered our previous vehicle in both names. When we enquired why this was so, we were told it had something to do with the difficulty with the collection of fines. I am assuming the fines would be for parking or vehicle defects as other fines usually apply to driving offences. I was asked to write a note agreeing to the vehicle’s being registered in my husband’s name only. We complied with the request as we wished to finalise the transfer of the vehicle to our ownership. However, I do have some questions regarding this. The vehicle was purchased with monies taken from both our Allocated Pension Funds and I am hoping that I will not have to account for the fact that I do not have an asset to account for this. My other question is, should my husband predecease me, will I be obliged to pay a transfer fee to register the vehicle in my name even though technically I part own it? This I imagine could be of concern to others in our situation.

Margaret Sanz Bankstown

Joint registration ceased in 2008. To transfer registration

of a car to your spouse, stamp duty is waived if the marriage certificate is provided but the $30 transfer fee still applies. If the transfer occurs after the death of a spouse, the transfer fee is waived. Ed.

Centrelink debt changesI am writing to you concerning our current debt from Centrelink. My husband and I received a letter from Centrelink recovery informing us that our repayments on our debt have increased from $40 per fortnight each to $187.10 per fortnight each, commencing ten days later. As we made an agreement with Centrelink in writing back in 2004, we find this decision unjustified and unacceptable. There was no consultation and financially and medically my husband and I would be unable to cope with this. My husband and I have been more than forthcoming for the past nine years and feel enough is enough. We are more than willing to adhere to the original agreement between ourselves and Centrelink of $40 per fortnight even though we believe the original debt is a mistake. If this latest debt repayment amount is forced upon us we will have no alternative but to take our matter to anyone who is willing to listen to our story. We hope that after this we can put the stresses of this situation behind us,

continue paying what we have previously agreed to and have this debt over with as soon as possible.

Helena CurtinKambah ACT

CPSA spoke to Centrelink and the rules around debt repayments have changed. People with outstanding Centrelink debts have to renegotiate regular repayment amounts every 12 weeks. CPSA advised Mrs Curtin to contact the Welfare Rights Centre to act on her behalf. Ed.

letters

THE VOICE, CPSA [email protected] 9, 28 Foveaux StSurry Hills NSW 2010

You must include your name and suburb/town for the letter to be published, though these may be omitted in publication if the letter contains personal information. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

SendalettertoTHEVOICE CPSA - who we are

CPSA was founded in 1931 in response to pension cuts.

CPSA is a non-profit, non-party-political membership association which serves pensioners of all ages, superannuants and low-income retirees.

The aim of CPSA is to improve the standard of living and well-being of its Members and constituents.

CPSA Honour Board

The CPSA Honour Board, generously donated by the Penrith Seniors & Pensioners’ Club, is proudly displayed in Head Office’s reception area.

The Honour Board acknowledges bequests made by CPSA Members.

If you are thinking of making or updating your Will and would like information about making a bequest to CPSA so your name can be added to the Board, please contact Head Office on 1800 451 488.

Whatever the size of the bequest, it all helps fund CPSA’s campaigns.


members’page

THE e-VOICE is available on the internet. Visit our website, www.cpsa.org.au, and sign up at

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Donations

CPSA is grateful for all donations. Due to lack of space, the following only includes donations above $35 received since the last edition of THE VOICE:Bankstown CPSA $417.90P. Lenton $100DBR Building Certification $100Gulgong CPSA $50

CPSA MerchandiseBadgesMembership : pin $4.50Membership: magnet $4.50Title Bar* + pendant $9.00Title Bar* $5.00Pendant $4.00(*except Welfare Officer $10.15Asst Soc. Sec.) $16.15CardsMembership card $0.10Waratah card $1.00

Card wallet $3.30Certificate (80/90 years/Appreciation) $1.10Emergency medical information book $2.00Leather key ring $5.50Letter opener: silver $10.00Do Not Knock Sticker FREE for individuals*Tea caddy spoon $4.40

Please add postage to all items.*A fee may apply to bulk orders.

Garden of Remembrance

Ted Howard, a former President of CPSA Bathurst Branch, passed away recently after a long illness.

Dorothy Joyce Owen (2/2/1919 – 30/7/2012), who liked to be called Joyce by her friends, was a Member of the New Millennium Seniors (Mt Druitt) Inc. from 2001 until 2009. She loved to go to meetings and have lunch with all her friends in the group. She loved to go on the bus trips and outings. She would always help with our fundraising until it got too much for her, and then she would donate $50 for every fundraiser. She will be sadly missed by all the Members, and especially her daughter Valmai Graham (also a Member of New Millennium Seniors).

~ Rest in Peace ~

CPSA Branch welcoming Members

The Foveaux Street Branch meets to discuss CPSA policy and campaigns at 10.15am on the second Friday of the month at CPSA Head Office. If you are interested in participating, please call CPSA on 1800 451 488.

Head Office News

Head Office News is sent to all Branch Secretaries, Presidents and Treasurers with the instruction to read it aloud to the Branch meeting. Every Branch Member is also entitled to receive a copy. If you would like a copy, please call Head Office on 1800 451 488.

Condition of CPSA Membership

According to the NSW Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (Schedule 1, clause 11(1)(a) and Appendix 1 based on Clause 3(1)), it is a condition of your ongoing CPSA membership that you agree to comply with CPSA’s Constitution including Aims & Objectives.

If you have any questions or would like a copy of the Constitution, please call Head Office on 1800 451 488.

Interest Free Loans

The No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS®) is a not-for-profit community-based program that provides small no interest, no fee loans to households in need of essential household items such as appliances, furniture and medical equipment.

If you would like more information on accessing a NILS loan, call the NILS® Hotline on 1800 509 994.

CPSA Constitution

THE CPSA Constitution with updates from the 2011 AGM is available on our website. Visit www.cpsa.org.au and click ‘About Us’. If you would like a prinited copy call Head Office on 1800 451 488.

Pension goes up but tough luck if you’re on the dole

THE BI-ANNUAL Pension increase came into effect on 20 September 2012.

Full-rate single pensioners are receiving an extra $17.10 a fortnight bringing the payment up to $722.60 a fortnight (including the Pension Supplement).

Couples on the maximum rate are receiving an increase of $25.80 per fortnight combined, bringing their payment up to $1,164.80.

Newstart recipients will see their payment go up by just $2.90 a fortnight for singles and $5.40 for couples combined. This brings the gap between Pensions and Newstart to $280 per fortnight.

This is due to the indexing used. Newstart is only indexed to CPI while Pension increases also take into account average male weekly earnings and the pensioner and beneficiary living cost index.

The dire level of Newstart is particularly problematic for people over 50, who spend an average of 70 weeks on the payment, double the time spent by younger people.

Due to much harsher income and asset tests, people must also use up any modest savings they may have accrued as a buffer against any unforeseen circumstances.

CPSA continues to push for a $50 per week increase to Newstart and a fairer indexing system so that the gap between Newstart and Pensions, which already sees people unable to afford essentials, does not continue to grow.


AgedCareGangrene and amputation part of Australia’s world-class aged care system GANGRENE is the death of tissue in a part of the body, following the loss of blood supply. It can result from infection, diabetes, or surgery. Symptoms include skin discolouration, loss of feeling or persistent pain, and a putrid discharge from the affected area. Gangrene can be diagnosed from an examination of the area and requires urgent treatment. Treatment includes antibiotics, surgery to remove the dead tissue, and amputation. The daughter of a nursing home resident brought to CPSA’s attention the alleged treatment received by her father. Mr Grayson (not his real name), lives in a private NSW for-profit nursing home. Earlier this year he had a wound on his foot that was being treated. Mr Grayson began to feel discomfort in the same leg that would not go away. He alerted nursing staff to the problem, but nothing was done. After several days, Mr Grayson insisted on being taken to the hospital, and his daughters ended up taking him to casualty. Mr Grayson was sent back to the nursing home after receiving antibiotics to treat an infection in his leg. However, a day or two later, one of his daughters paid him a visit and discovered him lying in his own urine. That day, the wing of the nursing home he was in only had one nurse working who did not have time to toilet or change Mr Grayson. His daughter changed him, and noticed his foot, which was looking badly infected.

She took him back to hospital. Mr Grayson was diagnosed with gangrene and rushed to a larger hospital where part of his foot was amputated. No complaint was made to the Complaints Scheme because the daughters and Mr Grayson didn’t feel that anything would come out of doing so. His daughters did however speak to management, and management ordered staff training in wound management. About a month or two after this ‘incident’, the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency did an audit of the facility, and found it complied with 44 out of the 44 standards, noting that staff were being trained in wound management. In the Agency’s report, however, there was no mention of this training being instigated following the amputation of part of a resident’s foot because of gangrene. The Agency, it appears, did not pick up on the amputation of part of Mr Grayson’s foot. In any case, even if this issue was brought to the Agency’s attention, they do not act on individual problems. They act on ‘systemic’ problems, that is, problems that occur across the home. Individual downfalls in care are the responsibility of the Department of Health and Ageing’s Complaints Scheme. There is a disconnect between the Agency’s assessment of a nursing home and the reality of life inside one. Mr Grayson’s facility got top marks, which could only serve as cold comfort for him, having lost half his foot. Mr Grayson has not received any compensation or even an apology. The nursing

home was not fined and did not lose any of its funding. It maintained its perfect accreditation status. No member of staff was reprimanded or lost their job. If you have a complaint about a nursing home, speak to the nursing home management or call the Department of Health and Ageing’s Complaints Scheme on 1800 550 552. CPSA also urges you to contact CPSA’s policy team on 1800 451 488.

Are nursing home residents’ lives significant?THE AGED Care Funding Authority has been established specifically to set prices for aged care. One of its first jobs was not to set a price, but to come up with a definition of what constitutes a “significant refurbishment” of a nursing home. From 1 July 2014, nursing homes that have carried out a “significant refurbishment” will qualify for a 62 per cent increase to $53 a day in the accommodation supplement paid to them by the Government. That’s an additional $20 a day per resident, or $1,460,000 a year for a 100-bed nursing home. The Aged Care Funding Authority has proposed a definition that a “significant refurbishment” is a building upgrade requiring a formal, regulatory building approval. Fire sprinkler retrofits do not require such a building approval. Obviously, there isn’t a nursing home in Australia that won’t carry out a “significant refurbishment” with the kind of revenue incentive being offered from 1 July 2014. NSW nursing homes will more than likely include fire sprinkler systems in their significant refurbishments. Victorian and Queensland

nursing homes already are required to have sprinklers installed. But the remaining states and territories have not yet made sprinklers mandatory in nursing homes and those homes may well decide to leave sprinklers out when they do their significant refurbishments. CPSA is concerned that fire sprinkler systems for nursing homes have not been taken seriously by the Aged Care Funding Authority and has written to the Aged Care Funding Authority asking it to change its proposed definition of a “significant refurbishment”, so that fire sprinkler retrofits count towards eligibility for the higher Government subsidy. The Aged Care Funding Authority should do the right thing by frail aged nursing home residents and make sure fire sprinkler retrofits count as significant refurbishments. After all, what’s more significant than a life?

The Australian Bereavement Register

The passing of a family member or a friend is distressing enough without receiving mail addressed to them. A person receives, on average, 68 pieces of direct marketing mail in the first twelve months following their death.

By registering information for free on the Australian Bereavement Register, you can stop this unwanted mail from continuing to be sent. For more information or to place a name on the register call 1300 887 914 or go to http://www.tabr.com.au/

You can also send a letter but you should phone first for a list of the information they will need.


CPSAmemberBenefit


AGm&Conference2012

Anti-Poverty Week 14 - 20 October 2012Poverty and severe hardship affect more than one million Australians. Around the world more than a billion people are desperately poor.

The main aims of Anti-Poverty Week are to:- Strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty;- Encourage research, discussions and action to address these problems.

This is a week when we can all do something about poverty. Why not organise a display, a fundraiser or a petition?

For information and ideas visit www.antipovertyweek.org.au or call 1300 797 290.

Come along to theFair Go for Pensioners Rally

Hyde Park, 1pm, 2 November 2012

Fair Go for Pensioners NSW is holding a community based rally at the north end of Hyde Park on Friday, 2 November 2012 at 1pm. It will go for about one and a half hours and a sausage sizzle and drinks will be provided. A shuttle service will run from the main entrance of Central Station to take people to and from the venue.

The rally will draw attention to issues affecting older people in NSW. In particular it will focus on important concerns such as hospital and ambulance services and the unfairness of the inclusion of the Clean Energy Supplement in public housing rent calculations from March next year. There will also be a call that the Pension should be increased to 35% of average weekly earnings.

A number of speakers will address the event, including Peter Primrose from the Opposition. There will also be some choir entertainment and first aiders and toilets will be close at hand.

The more attendees, the more powerful the impact, so please come along for an enjoyable day for a worthwhile cause. For further information please contact Fred Krausert on 0401 365 697 or (02) 4990 2983.

Northern New South Wales Digital Switchover

Analog TV signals are being switched off for good across the Northern New South Wales switchover region on 27 November 2012.

What assistance is available?Household Assistance SchemeFor people who have a functioning TV, have not converted to digital TV and receive a full rate pension. For more information on eligibility and to apply, contact the Department of Human Services on 1800 556 443.

Satellite Subsidy SchemeOffers installation of satellite TV equipment at a subsided cost for eligible households. This includes a Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) set-top box and satellite dish.

For more information visit www.digitalready.gov.au or call 1800 20 10 13.


Program, also known as Medicare Dental. According to the Federal Government, Medicare Dental was “poorly targeted”. That’s political-speak for: “people who can afford to pay being subsidised unnecessarily”. However, 80 per cent of people using Medicare Dental are healthcare card-holders (pensioners and people on Newstart), so it is debatable if Medicare Dental was really as poorly targeted as the Government made out. Also, Medicare Dental closed to all new patients on 8 September, just ten days after the Government’s announcement. If you were in the scheme before 8 September, you must finish your treatment on 30 November 2012 at the latest. This means that during the twenty months until 1 July 2014 there will be nothing for adults needing dental treatment as part of treatment received by them for chronic disease. This seems criminal. The third measure is for the 3.4 million children of families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A to be entitled to $1,000 worth of dental work every two years, at a cost of $2.7 billion. This program replaces the current program. The new program is clearly an improvement, because it provides money for actual work, not just for check-ups as the current program does. However, it seems strange that a Government so concerned about the poor targeting of Medicare Dental should give away $1,000 every two years to the children of families earning up to $120,000 a year. While the Government was

boasting it was spending $4 billion on its dental reform package, the current schemes (which will close) cost about the same. There is also the very real possibility that nothing will come of this reform if the Gillard Government fails to get re-elected at a general election to be held more than 6 months before the start date of the reform in July 2014. Should the current Opposition form a new Government following the next general election, there is no telling what it would do. Medicare Dental was introduced by the Howard Government, so the current Opposition might reinstate it. Alternatively, the current Opposition blames the current Government for axing Medicare Dental, but doesn’t reinstate it. There is also the possibility that the current Opposition might go ahead with the dental reform measures as announced. There is one certainty though. Neither the current Government nor the current Opposition would put a stop to the subsidisation of the wealthy who can afford dental cover as part of their private health insurance and generously subsidised by the taxpayer through the private health insurance rebate.

Senate Investigates Soaring Electricity PricesTHE AUSTRALIAN Government has finally noticed what pensioners could have told them yonks ago: electricity prices are out of control. So they’re holding a Senate Inquiry to look at the reasons why. CPSA put in a submission calling for the Inquiry to not look just at the causes behind skyrocketing electricity bills

but also the effect these have on households. We recommended that capacity to pay be used as a key indicator of electricity price unsustainability. Despite astronomical increases to electricity bills, those with regulated electricity companies can expect their annual bill to rise between $208 - $427 this year, the indexing of rebates has not changed. Rebates remain indexed only to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and while last year CPI was 1.2 per cent, electricity went up by 18 per cent. CPSA called on the Inquiry to index rebates to electricity price rises so that they are able to make a real impact in reducing the unaffordability of power bills. We also pointed out the unfairness that rebates are a flat rate, while people living in rural areas are often paying the highest proportion of their income on electricity. We noted that the push for households to reduce electricity consumption is not enough, particularly as pensioners and other low income households already under-use electricity in their homes to reduce their bills. Similarly, attempts to reduce off-peak electricity use, such as through smart meters, disadvantage people who spend more time at home during the day. Addressing electricity unaffordability is crucial, particularly as we are seeing a stark rise in the number of disconnections due to inability to pay. Last year 18,500 NSW residents were cut off from this essential service, creating further hardship. Pensioners accounted for 18.5 per cent of these disconnections. A national approach is needed and a scheme should

be implemented to assist people in purchasing more efficient appliances. While the No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) that currently operates to assist people with such purchases is useful, to be eligible to participate requires proof that you can pay back the borrowed money, arguably excluding the most needy from participating.

Why evicting Aunt Doris is not good public policy, Mr GoddardSTEPHEN Goddard is not a household name. Mr Goddard is a strata lawyer and chairman of the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), a network whose sponsors include Macquarie Bank and which claims to represent apartment owners in NSW. The OCN has called for reforms to the law that prevents the sale of apartment blocks without the consent of 100 per cent of the apartment owners. The OCN reckons 80 per cent of apartment owners agreeing to sell would be enough. So if you live in a block of five, and the four other apartment dwellers agree to sell, then it’s okay for strata law to force you to sell your home. Fair Trading Minister, Anthony Roberts has put this issue out to the community for their thoughts, reviewing strata and community scheme laws (submissions close 15 November 2012). Mr Goddard said to the Sydney Morning Herald (15 September 2012) that “Aunt Doris knew when she was buying an apartment that she was buying airspace, not clear title to a block of land.” (But, Mr Goddard, Aunt Doris also knew that her

CPSACampaignsFrom page 1


apartment could only be sold with her approval.) Mr Goddard continued, saying: “Mr Roberts’s biggest problem will be the political fear his colleagues will have of seeing little old ladies being dragged kicking and screaming from their homes. That is the fear which stops the growth of good public policy.” What the OCN is proposing will result in many being kicked out of their homes when the majority of apartment owners in the block agree to sell up. Many will be older people who have lived in their apartment for years and who are not keen on moving out of their home against their will. When that happens, as witnessed in residential parks (where residents have been turfed out because of redevelopment) many end up prematurely moving into nursing homes. Is that good public policy, OCN? If the OCN represents the interests of apartment owners, how is removing

people’s security of tenure in the best interests of apartment owners? This law is designed to benefit developers who want to buy up apartment blocks, redevelop them, and make a packet. Frank Sartor, the former NSW planning minister tried to change the unanimous agreement law in 2007. Back then, the OCN backed the move, too. The idea, however, was thrown out at the last minute. To make a submission, send your comments (by 15 November 2012) to: [email protected] or post comments to Review of strata and community title laws, Fair Trading Policy, PO Box 972, Parramatta NSW 2124 or fax: (02) 9338 8990.

Palliative care PALLIATIVE care (care for people with a terminal illness) is cheaper than hospital care, has been shown to provide better quality of life for people who are dying, and is what most dying people want. Yet palliative care services are sorely lacking.

In NSW, as at 2007 (latest figures) there were 348 designated palliative care beds, 277 of which were in metropolitan areas and 71 in rural and regional NSW. There was only one palliative care staff specialist based in rural or regional NSW. Even in metropolitan areas, palliative care specialists are overworked. When there’s no palliative care available, people who are terminally ill end up dying in a hospital. It is estimated that palliative care beds cost $200 (in an aged care facility) or $600 (in a palliative care unit) per day. This is much cheaper than an acute hospital bed (up to $1,100 per day) or an intensive care bed (as much as $4,000 per day). Just over half of all Australians die in a hospital. Only 10 per cent die at home. The rest die in nursing homes or hospices. Palliative care is a state and territory government responsibility, but the Australian Government has provided some additional funding in recent years. $500 million was allocated to the states and territories in 2008/09 to expand palliative care provision, but this funding was also earmarked for rehabilitation, geriatric evaluation management and psychogeriatric services. Thus, some states directed more than others to palliative care services. NSW allocated $33 million to palliative care. In this year’s budget, the NSW Government provided $5 million to expand palliative care services in NSW. At this stage, it’s unclear if this will be new funding or if other services will be cut. If it is new funding,

commentators have welcomed it, but say that the state needs 10 times that amount to meet demand.

Fire Safety CompromisedFIRE and Rescue services may be under threat due to budget cuts. Fire and Rescue NSW will face cuts of $70 million over four years, leading to stations being temporarily closed if they are understaffed. Staff who are able to work will be sent to neighbouring stations, rather than relief staff being employed to fill gaps to enable stations to remain open. CPSA wrote a letter to the NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services outlining our concerns about what this will mean for response times to emergencies, particularly in rural areas. The reply CPSA received was most surprising. Not only were we told that this practice was not new, but we were also informed that on any day, up to 20 fire stations may be taken “offline”. That is, up to 20 stations are closed while staff are unwell or are attending training or station forums. We were also informed that Fire and Rescue NSW has the highest levels of sick leave of any Government agency, which contributed to the Budget for overtime being blown out by $7 million. CPSA fails to see the sense in how a significant cut to the budget of an already underfunded vital service cannot compromise the safety of NSW residents.

Funeral Industry Council Mark 2CPSA HAS been invited to become a member of the all new Funeral Industry Council. CPSA will be the

CPSACampaigns


lone consumer voice on the Council. CPSA’s views on funerals haven’t changed since the previous funeral industry council folded in 2006. Funerals represent an essential service, but they are also a demonstration of love and respect for the person who has died. This is usually expressed through the features of a funeral. Obviously, the more features and the bigger the features, the more expensive the funeral. This makes the funeral industry a lucrative industry. Even very simple funerals can cause serious financial hardship. This is why CPSA pushes for a basic funeral to be an option for all potential customers. However, for too many, even a basic funeral is not within their means. For them, there is nothing in between a basic funeral and a pauper’s funeral. Needless to say, the funeral industry’s focus is a bit different from CPSA’s focus. The industry makes its money by providing pomp and circumstance, and wants to keep out anybody who does not play according to its (very profitable) rules. The industry seems hell bent on getting rid of the competition from smaller funeral companies. The industry is against a funeral director hiring a hearse, hiring a mortuary or hiring a viewing room. The industry is against anything that might bring the price of funerals down and seems to regard anybody who wants to hire a hearse, a mortuary or a viewing room as a fly-by-nighter and a charlatan. At the end of the day, the

functional part of a funeral is a simple business. It needn’t cost thousands of dollars. That’s what CPSA will be saying at the new NSW Funeral Industry Council.

Older drivers unfairly targetedOLDER drivers are a group of people everyone seems to love beating up on. A recent accident involving a 92-year-old driver in Victoria has prompted calls for that state to introduce mandatory road testing of older drivers. Queensland is also looking into older driver testing after an accident there. The public always seems to assume that if an older person has a car accident, it’s because they are old. The truth is that anyone can have an accident, and older drivers have fewer accidents and cause fewer deaths than middle-aged drivers or younger drivers. Whether an older driver should be banned from driving a car is a medical question requiring a medical answer, not a road test.

Do Not Knock Bill Knocked BackTHE MUCH anticipated Do Not Knock Register will not be going ahead despite widespread public support. The Committee looking into the proposed Do Not Knock Register Bill recommended that it not pass at this time, citing that consumer protection had recently been strengthened so further regulation at this stage is premature. CPSA cannot see how legislation preventing door-to-door sales people from turning up on door steps unannounced can be viewed as either premature or a bad thing.

The ACCC predicts that door-to-door sales will continue to increase in Australia, with the four biggest industries using this tactic – electricity, telecommunications, solar panels and pay TV retailers – saying it’s one of the most effective methods for generating sales. It’s also consistently one of the methods that result in a high number of complaints to the ACCC. It is well known that door-to-door sales target older people who are more likely to be home during the day. High pressure tactics, including refusing to leave until someone has signed a contract, mean that people often feel forced into signing up for something that they don’t need or cannot afford. Given a choice, CPSA is pretty certain that people would be pleased to have a way to opt-out of door-to-door sales like is currently available for unsolicited phone calls through the Do Not Call Register.

CPSACampaignsCPSA’s ‘Do Not Knock’ Stickers

Households are often bothered by door-to-door salespeople and marketers trying to get them to switch their energy retailer.

CPSA has produced a ‘Do Not Knock’ sticker that can be placed neatly on your door so that salespeople will quickly and quietly get the message that their call is unwanted.

Call CPSA Head Office on 1800 451 488 to order your free sticker.


INCOmESECURITY

CentrelinkAge Pension 13 23 00

DSP/Carer benefits 13 27 17Family Assistance 13 61 50

Welfare Rights CentreInfo on Government pensions

and other benefits(02) 9211 53001800 226 028

National Information Centre on Retirement InvestmentsAnything for the small investor and people wondering about

super or how to invest1800 020 110

Financial Ombudsman Services

Complaints about banking, insurance, super, financial

planning 1300 780 808

Industry Fund FinancialPlanning

1300 138 848

Australian Taxation OfficeSuper/Lost super 13 10 20

Personal tax 13 28 61

British Pensions inAustralia

Assistance in claiming the British Pension(02) 9521 79641300 308 353

No Interest Loans Scheme1800 509 994

RIGHTS

Australian Human Rights Commission

Complaints about discrimination and

harassment 1300 369 711

Commonwealth Ombudsman

Complaints about Federal Government departments and

agencies 1300 362 072

NSW Ombudsman’s Office Complaints about NSW Government agencies

1800 451 524

NSW Trustee and Guardian1300 360 466

Guardianship TribunalFinancial management orders

for people with decision-making disabilities

1800 463 928

Seniors Information Service13 12 44

Consumer Trader & Tenancy Tribunal

Tenancy, trader and consumer disputes13 32 20

Energy & Water Ombudsman (EWON)

Complaints about all NSW electricity/gas retailers and Sydney and Hunter Water

1800 246 545

TelecommunicationsIndustry Ombudsman

Phone and internet complaints 1800 062 058

GOODSANDSERVICE

Telstra Pensioner DiscountFor basic plans only

1800 353 652

NSW Seniors CardDiscounts on goods and services 1300 364 758

NSW Companion CardFree event admission for

companions of eligible people with a disability 1800 893 044

IPART Energy ComparisonCalculator 1300 136 888

HEAlTHANDCARE

Commonwealth CareLinkInfo about aged and

community care 1800 052 222

Office of Hearing ServicesSubsidised hearing aids

1800 500 726

Dementia Helpline1800 100 500

Private Health Insurance Ombudsman

Complaints and information1300 737 299

VisionCare NSWSubsidised spectacles

(02) 9344 4122 1800 806 851

Home Care Service NSWDomestic assistance, respite

and personal care 1800 044 043

Rape Crisis Centre24hours/7days 1800 424 017

Health Care Complaints Commission

NSW only (02) 9219 74441800 043 159

Carers NSWInformation, support

1800 242 636Emergency respite

1800 059 059

Aged care information lineResidential and community

aged care information1800 200 422

Aged Care Complaints Scheme

Complaints about residential and community aged care

1800 550 552

LifelineMental health support,

suicide prevention 13 11 14

Beyond BlueDepression and anxiety

information 1300 224 636

Public Dental Health Services

Call NSW Health for details(02) 9391 90001800 639 398

Medicare Enhanced Primary Care Dental Scheme

Call Medicare for details132 011

People with DisabilitiesAdvice for people with a

disability(02) 9370 31001800 422 016

Exit AustraliaInformation about euthanasia

1300 103 948

Dying with Dignity NSW(02) 9212 4782

Australian Men’s Shed

Association 1300 550 009

HOUSING

CPSA’s Older Persons Tenants’ Service (OPTS)

Individual advocacy(02) 9566 11201800 13 13 10

CPSA’s Park and Village Service (PAVS)

Individual advocacy for caravan parks and

manufactured homes villages(02) 9566 10101800 177 688

NSW Department of Housing

Info and applications1300 468 746

Tenants Advice LineMondays 3-6pm1800 251 101

lEGAl

The Aged-care Rights Service including Older Persons’ Legal ServiceAged care and retirement

village advocacy and information and legal advice

for older people.(02) 9281 36001800 424 079

Law AccessReferrals for legal help

1300 888 529

The Law SocietySolicitor and legal firm

referrals1800 422 713

Community Justice Centres Dispute resolution services

for minor matters 1800 990 777

Domestic Violence Advocacy Service

1800 200 526

Family Relationship Centres Relationship and separation information 1800 050 321

Office of the Legal Services Commissioner

Complaints about lawyers and conveyancers 1800 242 958

CPSAInformationDirectory


Giggle PageLost Dogs

There was a man who had two dogs, named ‘Common Sense’ and ‘Trouble’. He always brought his dogs to the park every evening. One day, however, he only brought ‘Trouble’ to the park, and left ‘Common sense’ at home. He let Trouble off his lead and he disappeared. Panicked,the man looked for his dog everywhere but could not find it. A woman noticed his distress and asked, “What are you looking for?”The man replied “I’m looking for ‘Trouble’.” “Pardon?” said the woman. The man replied in a higher tone, “I am looking for TROUBLE.” The woman, annoyed now, asked “Where’s your common sense?” The man whose mind was only about his dogs, answered “At home.”

Teaching Maths

Teacher: If you have ten chocolate cakes and someone asks for two, how many do you have left?

Student: Ten.

Teacher: Okay, well what if somebody forcibly takes two of the cakes, how many would you have then?

Student: Ten and a dead body.

Things I’ve learnt from movies

The ventilation system of any building is the perfect hiding place. No one will ever think of looking for you in there, and you can travel to any other part of the building you want without difficulty.

It is always possible to park directly outside the building you are visiting.

If you decide to start dancing in the street, everyone you bump into will know all the steps.

The more a man and a woman hate each other, the more likely it is they will fall in love.

A cup of black coffee or a splash of cold water in the face is enough to render the most inebriated person stone cold sober.

If you stick your head out of cover during a gun fight, it will never be hit, especially if you look backwards to hold a conversation with someone behind you.

Police departments give their officers personality tests to make sure they are assigned partners who are their total opposite.

The Eiffel Tower can be seen from any window in Paris.

Once applied, lipstick will never rub off - even while scuba diving.

All watches and clocks are synchronised to the second.

No matter how dead you think the bad guy is, he can still get up at least three more times.

People rarely use the bathroom, and if they do, they’re usually dead within minutes.

When paying for a taxi, don’t look at your wallet as you take out a bill - just grab one at random and hand it over. It will always be the exact fare.

Any lock can be picked by a credit card or a paper clip in seconds - unless it’s the door to a burning building with someone inside.

A man will show no pain while taking the most ferocious beating, but will wince when a woman tries to clean his wounds.

If there is a large bump in a downhill road, a speeding car will fly over it and hit the ground in a shower of sparks. Unsecured passengers will not be injured, and no tyre damage, broken axles, or suspension failures will occur. The car will then execute a sharp turn involving a skid.

Medieval peasants had perfect teeth.

THE VOICE OCTOBER 2012

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Transcript of THE VOICE OCTOBER 2012