Access to pension
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the Government’s proposal to remove access to the pension for retirees with substantial assets? Under the new proposal, couples with cash and investments of $820,000 or more and singles with $550,000 will not receive a part pension.
Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | Vote Other | Men | Women | Aged 18-34 | Aged 35-54 | Aged 55+ | |||
Total approve | 56% | 58% | 64% | 43% | 56% | 61% | 51% | 50% | 51% | 70% | ||
Total disapprove | 30% | 31% | 24% | 40% | 36% | 29% | 32% | 32% | 34% | 22% | ||
Strongly approve | 22% | 22% | 26% | 19% | 24% | 28% | 16% | 16% | 20% | 32% | ||
Approve | 34% | 36% | 38% | 24% | 32% | 33% | 35% | 34% | 31% | 38% | ||
Disapprove | 19% | 19% | 14% | 30% | 25% | 19% | 19% | 22% | 20% | 13% | ||
Strongly disapprove | 11% | 12% | 10% | 10% | 11% | 10% | 13% | 10% | 14% | 9% | ||
Don’t know | 14% | 10% | 11% | 18% | 9% | 10% | 17% | 19% | 14% | 8% |
56% approve of the Government’s proposal to remove access to the pension for retirees with substantial assets and 30% disapprove.
While all voter and demographic groups were more likely to approve than disapprove, those most likely to approve were aged 55+ (70%). Liberal/National voters (64%), men (61%) and incomes less than $1,000 pw (66%).
Eligibility for pensions and benefit payments
Q. Would you support or oppose making eligibility tougher for the following benefits and pensions?
|
Total support |
Total |
|
Strongly support |
Support |
Oppose |
Strongly oppose |
Don’t know |
Age pension |
17% |
75% |
5% |
12% |
40% |
35% |
8% |
|
Disability support pension |
37% |
55% |
11% |
26% |
33% |
22% |
9% |
|
Unemployment benefit |
65% |
28% |
31% |
34% |
19% |
9% |
7% |
|
Parenting payment |
55% |
34% |
24% |
31% |
24% |
10% |
11% |
A majority oppose making eligibility tougher for the age pension (75%) and the disability support pension (55%) but support making it tougher for unemployment benefits (65%) and parenting payments (55%).
Strongest opposition to making eligibility tougher for the age pension came from those aged 45-64 (85%).
Liberal/National voters were split over the disability support pension (45% support/47% oppose making it tougher).
76% of Liberal/National voters supported making eligibility for unemployment benefits tougher compared to 55% of Labor voters.
70% of those aged 55+ supported making eligibility for parenting payments tougher.

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