Correspondence & Activity
Response from Senator Tyron Whitten in support of reforming the Work Bonus system
Response to email sent 7/07/2025 to revive ePention EN6227
https://workingpensioners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/250714-Senator-Tryon-Whitten.pdf
Follow-up to previous correspondence sent via Gov Contact Form 1:45pm 14/07/25
Submission to Dr Jim Chalmers regarding previous communication requesting the issues be addressed rather than the standard delaying tactics of merely stating the curent situation. Content available via link below.
https://workingpensioners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/250714-Jim-Chalmers.pdf
Comment Justin Bott – Friday Focus Youtube
“Friday Focus” is a video series by Services Australia, featuring Community Information Officer Justin Bott
Email sent to all Senators
https://workingpensioners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/250707-Email-to-Senators.pdf
Centrelink income report to ATO inflates real taxable income
Further to our previous discussion regarding the Aged Pension Work Bonus threshold I would also like to raise the questionregarding inflated tax payable by the working member of a couple.
ATO Private Ruling rejecting Partner Pension reduction as a deduction
Even though the reduction in a Partners Pension is due to the Workers income, that reduction is not permitted as a Taxable Income deduction.
Sent via Government Contact Form 11:51pm 14/06/2025
AIM
To restructure the ‘Work Bonus’ system providing Aged Pensioners incentive to re-enter the workforce,
reducing the current skills shortage at no cost to Government, without disadvantaging those unable to
work.
https://workingpensioners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/250614-Tanya-Plibersek.pdf
Pensioners lose 50 cents in every dollar earned over $300 p/fn
Please register your support, I’m not looking for donations or subscription fees – just your support, there’s strength in numbers. Please register now
Submission number 236
Confirmation of submission to the Select Committee on the Cost of Living, submission number 236
Follow up to Petition rejection requesting explanation
I suspect the first response from any Government department is to resist change, why can’t we do
it? I implore you to analyse the suggested changes as the current negative influence on Pensioners
work participation will only magnify in line with inflation.
Meeting request with Ms Mary Doyle MP, my local member
The request to meet and discuss the Work Bonus threshold resulted in a 30 minute phone conversation followed by a F2F meeting at her shopping centre ‘meet and greet’ session. Mary seemed interested and sympathitic to the issue, however no plan of action was established.
Confirmation of receipt of submission
Gmail receipt of submission to the Select Committee on Cost of Living
More confusion regarding the $4,000 Work Bonus Bank Start
We appreciate that you have taken the time to contact us and bring this to our attention, this has now been resolved.
Ministerial Correspondence to Mr Doug Watkin in an attempt to have the issue addressed without diverting to ‘fluff’
I would appreciate your evaluation and consideration to my argument and not merely state what we all already know
Response from Mr Doug Watkins on behalf of Jim Chalmers
Does NOT address the question, again merely stating the current situation
Request to review previous response and answer the question
Request to review response from DSS, a two page letter telling me what I already know and not addressing the actually enquiry at all, refer below link.
Response to email 2nd July 24, did not address the issue
Response from Andrea Wallace-Green, on behalf of Amanda Rishworth, basically a 2 page explanation of the current system without addressing the issue, refer below link.
https://workingpensioners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/240731-Response-to-email-2nd-July.pdf
Ministerial Response to ePetition EN6227 with comments
The petition was rejected with the response not really aligned with the intent of the Petition – dissappointing. The following link includes my initial comments.
Ministerial Response to ePetition EN6227
The petition was rejected with the response not really aligned with the intent of the Petition – dissappointing. Refer below link.
Meeting with Shadow Treasurer Hon Angus Taylor MP
The Hon Angus Taylor MP, Senator the Hon Sarah Henderson (out of shot) and Liberal Candidate for Aston Mr Manny Cicchiello at Schokolade Cafe, Wantirna.
Ministerial Correspondence to Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP
I believe that working pensioners are paying tax on money they don’t receive due to
different treatment of income by Centrelink & ATO.
Email to Hon Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services
Could you please explain why I’m paying tax on money I haven’t received?
Petition Presented and Referred
Request to National Seniors Australia to support the Petition
Luke,
Thanks for your response.
Does this mean National Seniors will not support my petition?
NO RESPONSE
Petition Certified in Order
So, the Work Bonus has not been doubled, not even as a temporary measure!!!!!!
The doubleing refers to the employment income nil rated period, nothing to do with the Work Bonus threshold.
https://workingpensioners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/240520-Richard-Farr.pdf
The Albanese Labor Government initially doubled the Work Bonus as a temporary measure, this has since been made permanent????????
Email to Richard Farr, Electorate Officer, Office of Mary Doyle MP
Richard,
Further to your email dated 24th April 2024, could you please explain what is meant by;
‘The Albanese Labor Government initially doubled the work bonus as a temporary measure, this has since been made permanent’
I don’t recall the work bonus threshold doubling at all, my understanding is the Work Bonus was introduced in 2009 @ $250 p/fortnight threshold and increased to $300 in July 2019 without any review since.
I look forward to your advice in the very near future.
Regards
Greg
Email conversation with Richard Farr, Electorate Officer
Richard,
I’m not sure if you actually read and understood my email as your reply pretty much repeats my description of the current situation.
The $4,000 work bonus increase is a one off increase to the cap only, this amounts to a one off $2,000 additional benefit retained onmoney earned . If you believe this will entice Australians to get back to work, your Government is more out of touch than I thought it was.
I will rephrase the question. What needs to be done to instigate a genuine urgent review of the current Work Bonus system.
Regards
Greg
The question of what needs to be done not answered. For complete conversation https://workingpensioners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/240424-Mary-Doyle-Richard-Farr-Gmail-Re_-Website-Contact-Enquiry.pdf
Confusion caused by $4,000 Work Bonus balance incorrect reporting
The confusion and incorrect reporting of the $4,000 Work Bonus relating to a starting Work Bonus income bank balance of $4000 rather than $0 does no impact on the Work Bonus Threshold of $300 per fortnight. In effect a new Pensioner could earn $11,800 in the first year rather than $7,800. This is a one off benefit of $2,000 as $2,000 would have been received anyway.
Email to Phillip Coorey, Financial Review
Phillip,
As an old confused pensioner, I was wondering if you could help me understand the changes to the pension / work bonus for 2024.
Your article dated 23rd September 23, “
Chalmers details plan to get pensioners, welfare recipients back to work”, stated that The change, which will cost $42.4 million over three years, means that from January 1, 2024, all age pension recipients,
new and existing, will have a starting Work Bonus bank balance of $4000.
I believe this now only applies to ‘new’ pensioners and not current pensioners that have already received the ‘$4000 Bonus’ in2023. If so the $4,000 bonus, (actual value $2,000 as 50% would have been received anyway), is an extension to the Work BonusCap only having absolutely no eff ect on a working pensioner. Pensioners not working will see their work bonus bank reaching thedizzy heights of $11,800 having no impact on their actual income. Even an annual increase in the bonus of $2,000 (before tax) is notlikely to entice someone to alter their lifestyle.
Has there been a change in the policy or was the article incorrect or is the Government’s terminology meant to be confusing? Eitherway the change seems much ado about nothing.
Regards
Greg
Email to Alan Tudge
Alan,
Could you please explain your thoughts on the future of the Pension Work Bonus and if Liberial will support an increase or dropping thelimit altogether.
Regards
Greg