If so who thinks its justified?

AUSTRALIAN AGED PENSIONER....; Weekly allowance -
$253.00

Weekly Spouse allowance =
$56.00

Additional weekly hardship allowance =
$0.00
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ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS/REFUGEES LIVING IN AUSTRALIA .......;Weekly allowance -
$472.50
Weekly Spouse allowance -$472.50
Additional weekly hardship allowance -$145.00
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PENSIONER -TOTAL YEARLY BENEFIT =$16,068.00

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ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS/REFUGEES LIVING IN AUSTRALIA -TOTAL YEARLY BENEFIT= $56,680.00

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After all, the average pensioner alone has paid taxes and contributed to the growth of this country for the last 40 to 60 years; a Defence member voluntarily endures hardship, prepared to give up their life to preserve the way of yours; and the farmer/battler who are the backbones of this Country and Culture - never reaches for a handout but always willing to lend a hand ....



When these people rarely, if ever, speak out they are shunned, ridiculed and dismissed by the Government and barely makes a headline in the news. When refugees/immigrants speak out about repression and insensitivity to their culture in Australia, it gets widespread media coverage and quick resolution by Government bodies.

IF, these figures are true does anyone have a good reason why we shouldnt increase the pensioners and defence personel's pension up to the level of that recieved by refugees, or drop theirs to that of our pensioners?