LIKE many pensioners, Werribee’s Gwen and Neville Lunt are used to sacrifice.
Each week, they scour the shelves of the local supermarket looking for specials.
More often than not, mince meat will win out over scotch fillet. And rib eye is a delicacy preserved only for the aristocracy.
The Lunts are among a growing number of pensioners who are upset and frustrated by the Federal Government and the cost of living.
Whether it’s the price of food, medication or petrol, pensioners throughout Australia are waging a growing campaign.
“They (Government) need to give us at least $25 each a week more – $100 a fortnight per couple. That would enable people to buy what they want,” Mr Lunt said.
Mr Lunt turns 77 this week, while his wife Gwen is 74 in July. Together, they receive about $450 a week on a full pension.
Take out the price of food, medication, health bills, petrol, gas, water and electricity charges and there is little left by the end of the week.
The Lunts believe more can and should be done for Australia’s ageing population.
“We could always do with more. Many of our friends struggle to pay their bills,” Mrs Lunt said.
The weekly hunt for food specials can be frustrating.
“You’ve always got to be very careful about stuff you buy,” Mrs Lunt said.
“You try to buy fresh vegetables but meat is a bit of a problem. Even mince meat is expensive. We don’t have steak very often.”
Mr Lunt said that pensioners’ inability to buy quality food eventually had an impact on the health system.
“One of the biggest things is that they need to put the pension up so people can buy better quality food. Then we wouldn’t get as crook and need all the medication,” Mr Lunt said.
But it’s not just the soaring price of food.
Petrol is this week expected to climb to more than $1.60 per litre. Add insurance and registration for their vehicle and the result means driving has become a rare event.
“We don’t travel around that often looking for cheap stuff because that costs you money. What you might save on food will cost you in bloody petrol,” Mr Lunt said.
Like most pensioners, the Lunts are also on medication – primarily for blood pressure.
“Medication is a big issue,” Mrs Lunt said.
She said a friend was on a waiting list for an operation to remove cataracts from her eyes at a cost of $1700.
“It’s too expensive and you shouldn’t have to wait because you eyesight is one of the most important things you have,” she said.
“It’s very sad that people have to wait for hip operations and they’re suffering.”
These days, the Lunts rarely venture from home.
The cost of holidaying is far too prohibitive.
“We’ll only go if we can stay with family or friends,” she said.
“We can’t afford to stay in motels or anything like that.”
