Finally!

Finally, John Howard has started off the process I called for on Monday.

There is now an offering for the Baby Boomers who have reached retirement age - especially those who are not really able to look after themselves all that well thanks to illness.

It's a beginning. It's not much - but it's a beginning.

See http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/23/2067711.htm

Prime Minister John Howard has revealed a $4 billion package for pensioners, carers, self-funded retirees and people with disabilities.

Mr Howard used a visit to the key Liberal marginal seat of Kingston in Adelaide to unveil the package which will see pensioners utility allowances jump from about $107 a year to $500.

Mr Howard says all up the move will benefit more than 2.8 million people. There is also a bonus for self-funded retirees with seniors' concession allowances to more than double.

Let's let the Kevin07 camp read the promises of the current government and let's hear what they have to offer as part of their ME TOO function in this election.

The Greens agree with me that this is really NOT much more than a beginning. Maybe they can push for more largess for those who have given their all for this country and now want to sit back and reap the benefits of their labour (and that was NOT meant as a political pun):

Greens leader Bob Brown says John Howard's commitment is a reach for the grey vote and is only a fraction of the funding needed.

"This is such a miserly contribution towards pensioners who are having it so tough and it's pretty disgusting that the Prime Minister can't do better," he said.

"He's put $34 billion over three years into tax cuts and he's going to put $4 billion over four years for pensioners, carers and self-funded retirees."