A Seaholme single mother and student who is on a carer’s pension for her disabled daughter has highlighted the plight of families like hers.
Maree Kinniburgh wrote to Gellibrand MP Tim Watts to explain the federal budget impact on someone in her position. Her letter was read out in Parliament last week.
In it, she said the recent budget made her and her daughter “feel like we are viewed as pariahs, sucking the lifeblood out of the system”.
As a carer pensioner, Ms Kinniburgh is only allowed to earn about $70 a week. Anything she earns above that reduces her pension by 50 cents in every dollar. She described it as a “50 per cent penalty on a $20,000 a year income”.
As a carer who has returned to study, Ms Kinniburgh will lose her pensioner education supplement of $31 a week under the budget.
Her daughter, Abbie, 23, was born with life-threatening brain abnormalities and is on numerous medications, some not covered by the pharmaceutical benefits scheme.
Despite being told that she would never read or write, Abbie finished year 12, entered a TAFE transition course for students with special needs and this year started a part-time bachelor of arts degree at Victoria University.Ms Kinniburgh said she felt for students in the western suburbs and for Abbie, who will graduate with loans that keep growing.
“We are both working very hard to make a contribution and not be a burden on society.
“The recent budget makes us feel like we are viewed as pariahs. It’s a horrible position to be in through no fault of our own. Instead of being rewarded for our extremely hard work, we are to be severely punished.”
Mr Watts told Parliament the Kinniburghs’ story had brought home the cruelty of the budget.
