The Opposition today repeated demands for pensioners to get an immediate $30 pension increase on grounds that it would both help pensioners and be good for the economy.
Opposition treasury spokeswoman Julie Bishop said the current global financial crisis only increased the argument for giving pensioners some immediate help.
"We believe a $30 a week increase now is important and it does stimulate the economy," she told the Nine Network.
"But we have said even before the full impact of this economic crisis has been felt in Australia, we have said that pensioners are doing it tough, that the single aged pension was not enough. We have suggested that it should be increased by $30 a week."
Treasurer Wayne Swan said the government would not be ignoring the plight of both pensioners and self-funded retirees but that would be done in the context of the next budget.
"There are significant issues involved here. We have indicated that we will deal with those issues," he told ABC television.
Mr Swan said the Harmer review was looking at retirement incomes across the board.
He said he would not pre-empt its findings or the government's response.
"We have said we will deal with it in the budget context and that is what we will do," he said.
