Pensioners and carers across Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area have been subjected to the Morrison Government’s pension freeze.

For the first time in 23 years, the pension was not indexed. It should be indexed for payment increases on 20 March and 20 September yearly.

This payment freeze impacts 16 377 Age Pension recipients, 8 332 Disability Support Pension recipients and 5 981 Carer Support recipients in the Blair electorate.

It will have been a whole year – at the very least – since pensioners last saw their payments indexed.

These aren’t ordinary times.

For many people with disability and carers, costs are higher at the moment – things like higher energy bills from staying at home, extra transport costs from avoiding public transport, grocery home delivery charges, missing out on shopping at the markets for specials, and extra health costs.

And interest rates remain at record lows. Pensioners with modest savings face a double whammy.

Labor is calling on the Government to immediately end its freeze of the pension.