Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, says around 1,460 local pensioners face significant cuts to their pension from New Year’s Day because of cuts made by the Turnbull Government and the Greens.

Around 1,130 pensioners will see an average cut to their pension of $133 a fortnight.

A further 330 local pensioners will lose their pension entirely, leaving them on average worse off by $203 a fortnight.

Mr Neumann said Malcolm Turnbull is the Grinch who Stole Christmas for local pensioners.

“Pensioners and families already face huge financial pressures this holiday season and the last thing they need is a cut to their pension,” Mr Neumann said.

“Labor voted against this cut to pensioners in the Parliament and we will continue to fight for a fair go for pensioners.

“Cutting the pension shows how out of touch Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberals really are.

“They are taking money off pensioners at Christmas while trying to give a $50 billion handout to big business and the banks.”

Mr Neumann added that affected pensioners should have been contacted by the Department of Human Services (Centrelink) already.

“The Department of Human Services has informed me that all affected pensioners have been contacted, so if you have not received correspondence you probably will not lose any of your pension.

“However, I understand there is a lot of fear and anxiety out there among pensioners because the Government has mishandled its communication of these major changes.”

Pensioners who are concerned about how the Government’s changes to the pension assets test will affect them are urged to contact Centrelink Financial Information Services on 132 300.

For more information contact Mr Neumann’s office on 3201 5300.