I support the motion from Rebekha Sharkie MP to allow pensioners to return to work if they wish, without losing their pensions.
There are over 100,000 Australians aged 60 to 69 who are not in the labour force, not retired, and not currently employed, but who want to work. Almost 20% of pensioners would consider re-entering the job market, but the system as it currently stands would penalise them for doing so.
In Indi we are facing a workforce crisis. We have employers who can’t find workers, and pensioners who could and would like to work, yet they are prevented from doing so by this policy. I speak to many people who want to work, who would pick cherries rather than let them rot on the tree, who would take on transport and delivery roles, administrative roles, hospitality roles.
We have a local and experienced workforce of thousands, already in our communities, who we could mobilise to re-enter the workforce, with a simple change to the pension income test.
I urge the Government to consider this proposal at the upcoming Jobs Summit, it is the type of new thinking that our new challenges demand of us.
Older Australians are capable of great things. It’s time we let them work again if they wish to.
‘Win-win-win’: Sharkie’s plan to help pensioners back into work
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