The first round of the Brisbane City Council’s rates paper bill fee has hit letterboxes across the city.
Residents are now getting charged $1.98 if they do not opt to receive the bill online.
The Council Opposition have slammed the move, saying it’s a blatant cash grab targeting pensioners.
The LNP Council estimates this fee will bring in an additional $2million per year.
The fee is in addition to the 3.8% rate increase and increased card processing fee the Lord Mayor announced in June.
When the Opposition asked the Lord Mayor to introduce an exemption for pensioners and concession card holders before Christmas, Adrian Schrinner and his team said no.
Opposition Leader, Cr Jared Cassidy said across Australia, local governments and utility companies provide fee exemptions to pensioners so they can receive paper bills without the additional cost.
“It appears that Brisbane will be the only council in South East Queensland cruel enough to put this tax onto pensioners, shame on the LNP,” said Councillor Cassidy.
“Adrian Schrinner’s latest budget also saw fees and charges, including parking fines, rise by twice as much as the rates increase. So, it doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, Adrian Schrinner and the LNP have their hand in your pocket.”
“Is the Lord Mayor so desperate to make his bottom-line look better that he has to target pensioners?” said Councillor Cassidy.
Despite claiming the fee was introduced to offset rising postage costs, the LNP Council recently approved a $5.7million contract to distribute mail via Australia Post, including their Living in Brisbane newsletter.
“Adrian Schrinner is dipping into the pockets of ratepayers for something they aren’t asking for, to promote himself, while charging them to receive essential bills. What hypocrisy,” said Cr Cassidy.
Advocacy groups including National Seniors Australia and Council on the Ageing have also called for exemptions for pensioners.
Darren Young, CEO of Council on the Ageing Queensland says there’s a number of reasons why this fee should be reconsidered.
“With the increasing challenges of costs of living, small increases to regular payments contribute to overall financial burden, particularly for those on fixed incomes.,” Mr Young said.
“We support an exemption for all older people as they are experiencing a generational change in technology and should be supported in the transition rather than penalised. At the very least we should see exemptions for those holding pensioner or concession cards (those on low fixed incomes) who will find that such a charge contributes to cost-of-living challenges.”
