Australian government

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Michael Skully

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Feb 20, 2024, 10:00:45 PMFeb 20
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The attached letter is no surprise - nothing is happening to address indexation.

The third paragraph shows that there has been some efforts made, but not surprisingly, the British government is not interested.

This is the problem with the Australian government. They continue to delegate the solution to the Minister for Social Security. The prime minister should be taking the lead and meeting with Canada, New Zealand and other frozen country leaders. The Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings offer the perfect opportunity. This is not something for the official agenda but rather a pre or post meeting outside the formal one.

Mike Skully
Letter from Aust Gov on British Pensions Feb 2024.pdf

Richard Denton

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Feb 21, 2024, 1:47:40 AMFeb 21
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I wonder if it is possible to find out how many of the western democracies pay pensions with full COL indexing no matter where the pensioner lives. France does. I worked in France for 9 years mid 1970’s to early 1980’s and get my small pension with annual indexation paid into my Australian bank account. France also has a superb on line pension service that tells me everything needed to know. If we can find out if other democracies are like France we can mount a very powerful public campaign shaming the UK.

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On 21 Feb 2024, at 2:00 pm, 'Michael Skully' via BAPA <bapa...@googlegroups.com> wrote:


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<Letter from Aust Gov on British Pensions Feb 2024.pdf>

Annie Cory

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Feb 21, 2024, 1:52:10 AMFeb 21
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A link to the list of countries was published on this site recently. 

On 21 Feb 2024, at 16:47, 'Richard Denton' via BAPA <bapa...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

I wonder if it is possible to find out how many of the western democracies pay pensions with full COL indexing no matter where the pensioner lives. France does. I worked in France for 9 years mid 1970’s to early 1980’s and get my small pension with annual indexation paid into my Australian bank account. France also has a superb on line pension service that tells me everything needed to know. If we can find out if other democracies are like France we can mount a very powerful public campaign shaming the UK.

David Taylor

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Feb 21, 2024, 2:24:01 AMFeb 21
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The cost/potential benefit of such strategy is such that it’s within our capabilities and worth a try – although given the element of historical cantankerousness between the French and English, I can see that using the example of France alone could easily induce the opposite effect!

 

David

Michael Goodall

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Feb 21, 2024, 2:35:09 AMFeb 21
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All OECD countries pay their pensioners the annual increases no matter where they live in the world. Except the UK who are still 70 years behiond the rest of the OECD.
Even that fact doesn't sway themas they believe that the UK increases are based on UK cost etc (triple lock) whereas som tin pot colonial doesn't really need the increases because the cost of living isn't the same as in the UK!!!!!!!!

Best regards,
Mike Goodall
Tel:-     +61 8 6364 0859

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Subject: RE: [bapanews] Australian government
 

Steve Symmons

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Feb 21, 2024, 4:31:29 AMFeb 21
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Rather than just communicating with the incumbent governments, there might be more benefit making inquiries to their respective oppositions as to their proposed policies regarding frozen pensions (?)


Sheila Lean

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Feb 21, 2024, 6:52:13 AMFeb 21
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The Netherlands, Republic of Ireland and Germany also. I have met a lady who received a pension from Poland or Hungary (can't remember which) was also indexed. I suspect the UK is the only one not to index pensions mainly in Commonwealth Countries as pensions paid in US and Europe are indexed.





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tan...@smartchat.net.au

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Feb 22, 2024, 5:21:20 PMFeb 22
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There are about 1 million ex-pat UK pensioners. Over half of them are not frozen and most of those live in the USA and EU countries. Of the rest, nearly half a million pensioners live in Commonwealth countries. The UK is the only country that discriminates on the basis of where you live. Not all Commonwealth countries are frozen. If you want to know more try the British Pensions in Australia web site.

Cheers

Tony
From: 'Richard Denton' via BAPA <bapa...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 21 February 2024 5:47 PM
To: bapa...@googlegroups.com <bapa...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [bapanews] Australian government

clive walford

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Feb 23, 2024, 3:14:34 AMFeb 23
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AS THE  REST OF THE WORLD  CRUMBLES INTO OBLIVION THE UK GOVERNMENT CONTINUES  TO  SHOW ITS STRENGTH !

The Prime Minister and cabinet continue to flex their muscles against the V V,  (Vulnerable Victims), Such as the pensioners, (the UK still the lowest pension in the western world?). The low  paid and poor, (which include the children of those living in poverty?). Some of The War Veterans that laid their lives on the line for the freedom of democracy? (a choice they are now denied as to which country they can live in retirement without being frozen? A hero robbed by gov’ts Frozen Pension  Whim?).

It was not I, that first used the word WHIM. That was one of the knowledgeable judges in the EU High Court in the Carson, (frozen pensioner), Case.  (“it is not a frozen pension policy, it is a frozen pension WHIM!”)

Even though the GOVERNMENT FINANCES SHOW BIG SURPLUS  IN JANUARY, (https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68346802),

 will they still have the strength to hold off the pressures of the V V, to give truth to the gov’t manifesto of “equality, fairness and justice?” SEE NOTE 1.

(equality; there is just one rule for US, Oh, and just one rule for them.

Fairness and justice; we get the sack and a possible criminal charge. They get a slap on the wrist and a 30 day ban from the Commons. (could be arranged while your on your 3 week holiday in the Caribbean ?).

Note 1. of course now the coming election has been announced, by the Tory “votes for ever” advertisements in Facebook, might things change somewhat?

12.5 MILLION  STATE PENSIONERS

1.1  MILLION LIVE OVERSEAS.

HALF OF THOSE ARE  FROZEN

THE OTHER HALF ARE NOT   FROZEN

(WHAT WAS I SAYING ABOUT

EQUALITY, FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE?



Bernie Treichel

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Feb 23, 2024, 3:15:11 AMFeb 23
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Perhaps things will change when Australia becomes a republic! Just saying.

Bernie Treichel 


Michael Goodall

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Feb 23, 2024, 3:17:44 AMFeb 23
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Not a flying pigs chance in a typhoon.

Best regards,
Mike Goodall

From: 'Bernie Treichel' via BAPA <bapa...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, 23 February 2024 11:40 AM

mary barber

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Feb 23, 2024, 3:19:25 AMFeb 23
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It didn’t in south Africa when they became a republic

 

 

From: 'Bernie Treichel' via BAPA <bapa...@googlegroups.com>

Jill & Ken Willes

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Feb 23, 2024, 5:31:55 AMFeb 23
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There might be a glimmer of hope when Labour inevitably wins the next election.  We can perhaps do our bit by registering to vote now votes for life legislation has been enacted

Fingers crossed

Ken Willes


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On 23 Feb 2024, at 7:17 pm, Michael Goodall <mikecg...@btconnect.com> wrote:



Bernie Treichel

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Feb 23, 2024, 5:32:11 AMFeb 23
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Yes I think I would have to agree!

Bernie Treichel 

Bernie Treichel

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Feb 23, 2024, 5:32:26 AMFeb 23
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Maybe I should write to the King. He seams like a reasonable chap and he likes Australia. Anyone got an email address?

Bernie Treichel 

Linda OBrien

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Feb 23, 2024, 6:48:35 AMFeb 23
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Mary Barber. My uncle serviced in the desert in WW2 and then worked in UK before moving to Rhodesia, Malawi and eventually South Africa. All those years they paid in to the UK pension. When they both retired it was never increased, stayed at the amount the day they became pensioners! What a rip off! A friends mother and father were both in the services during WW2. She lived until she was in her 90’s and apparently, in South Africa, she was “living” on about SAR60 a month! What a slap in the face that must have been. 
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On 23 Feb 2024, at 4:19 pm, mary barber <cat...@hotmail.com> wrote:



Michael Skully

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Feb 23, 2024, 3:07:27 PMFeb 23
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His Majesty The King
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bapanews/140308272.6229136.1708680536715%40mail.yahoo.com.

mary barber

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Feb 23, 2024, 7:40:19 PMFeb 23
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Yes all crap. I could move from Australia to Mauritius or the Phillipines BUT why should I just to get my full pension A

Bernie Treichel

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Feb 24, 2024, 2:40:47 AMFeb 24
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I am beginning to think this is a Human Rights issue. Why is it that sets of people are treated differently from other sets of people. A kind of monetary apartheid. If anyone is planning on attending one of the Geoffrey Robertson presentations in May, perhaps the question could be asked.

Bernie Treichel 

Bernie Treichel

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Feb 24, 2024, 2:41:14 AMFeb 24
to 'Michael Skully' via BAPA
Thank you Michael. I have decided that Geoffrey Robertson might lead to a better outcome but perhaps I'll do both and also take it up with the minister responsible for the pension non decisions as being a human rights issue.

Bernie Treichel 

vivienne bentley walker

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Feb 24, 2024, 2:41:28 AMFeb 24
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Good idea I might write to the King too, who knows if he gets enough letters, one can only try 😉 

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Michael Goodall

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Feb 24, 2024, 2:47:45 AMFeb 24
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Geoffrey Robinson famously said, and I think i might have it on file somewhere ' If he had been used to present the court case at the Appeal to the Supreme Court in the EU, he would have won.'  Perhaps just sour grapes because he wasn't used!!!!!!

Best regards,
Mike Goodall
Tel:-     +61 8 6364 0859


From: 'Bernie Treichel' via BAPA <bapa...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 24 February 2024 9:43 AM
To: 'Michael Skully' via BAPA <bapa...@googlegroups.com>

Tony Hussey

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Feb 24, 2024, 3:17:52 AMFeb 24
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I agree - it is an absolute outrage that targeted groups of people can be arbitrarily robbed of their entitlements

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alexander whitehead

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Feb 25, 2024, 3:38:44 AMFeb 25
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HI MAY BE WE COULD DO WITH A TELE PROGRAM LIKE PENSIONS VS MR BLANKS//////// VS THE GOVERNMENT ALEXANDER WHITEHEAD 

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Bernie Treichel

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Feb 25, 2024, 3:39:11 AMFeb 25
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Good. Nothing else seems to be working. Time for a different angle.

Bernie Treichel 

John Feltham

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Feb 25, 2024, 10:31:50 AMFeb 25
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G'day Folks,




Begin forwarded message:

From: "'Michael Skully' via BAPA" <bapa...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [bapanews] Australian government
Date: 24 February 2024 at 6:07:05 AM AEST

His Majesty The King
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA 

On Fri, 23 Feb 2024 at 21:32, 'Bernie Treichel' via BAPA <bapa...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Maybe I should write to the King. He seams like a reasonable chap and he likes Australia. Anyone got an email address?

Bernie Treichel 

That won’t work,

He won’t even see the postage stamps on the envelopes.

The PS answer all of his letters and those of the Late Queen.

I know, I fought the UK PS over a flawed statement that we couldn’t wear a medal given to all the UK Services that served in the ‘Undeclared War" with Malaysia and Indonesia.

See also….


And the campaign that defeated the PS

After 6 years or so.



ooroo   🦘






Richard Denton

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Feb 25, 2024, 2:34:31 PMFeb 25
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I wrote to Her Majesty The Queen some years ago and got a nice sympathetic but the matter is handled by the government reply back from her PS (If I can find it could scan and send it on to you if interested)
Richard

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On 26 Feb 2024, at 2:31 am, 'John Feltham' via BAPA <bapa...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

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Marianne

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Feb 26, 2024, 2:42:28 AMFeb 26
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I sent a letter to Prince William and King Charles, not a peep out of them even though I commented on how many Brits May now have to return due to rising costs and lower pensions.  That was before Christmas.


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Bernie Treichel

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Feb 26, 2024, 2:42:52 AMFeb 26
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Yes please thanks Richard

Bernie Treichel 

Jonathan Green

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Feb 27, 2024, 12:51:52 AMFeb 27
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Hi all,

I've said it quite a few times on here but I'll say it again, I think we should come together and take advice from a top barrister in the UK on this.

I don't know the membership figures of BAPA but if all those who can afford to donated $10, $20, $50 or whatever sum was decided upon, I'm sure we could raise enough to get CURRENT legal advice.

I know this subject has gone through the courts before, ending up before the EU courts if I remember rightly. However that was years ago and times have moved on in the equality and human rights legislation since then.

I do not have the necessary knowledge or experience to undertake such a task but would be willing to assist and support anyone with the necessary skills to secure, collate and collect the funds to pay for such advice.

Am I the only one to think this way, or are there others out there who think this could succeed?

Jonathan Green
From: bapa...@googlegroups.com <bapa...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Tony Hussey <tonyhu...@gmail.com>
Sent: 24 February 2024 18:24

Di Crabtree

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Feb 27, 2024, 1:46:03 AMFeb 27
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I totally agree with what you say Jonathan. We do have a collective power, especially those of us that have registered as overseas electors. 

I'm so angered that they treat us all as some sort of breed of toothless old dogs. I would personally be more than happy to contribute to some form of new legal action.

Thank you for raising this.

Bruce Englefield

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Feb 27, 2024, 1:46:22 AMFeb 27
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Dear Jonathon,

Count my wife and me in for a donation. I too believe that with the UK no longer in the EU the EU court of human rights might come to a different finding.

Regards

Bruce.

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On 27 Feb 2024, at 16:52, Jonathan Green <greenf...@live.com.au> wrote:



John Murray

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Feb 27, 2024, 1:46:43 AMFeb 27
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When pension was set up legistration was issued and stated funds would not be accesed or used by gov    as funds income soley for pensioners.      Legaly how could this not happen.

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