Pensions, Allowances etc Indexation changes, effective 20 March 2016 The 20 March 2016 indexation changes have been announced and a special thank you to Debbie McTaggart, Editor, YourLifeChoices for sharing the information so promptly. Increased, are Pensions, Allowances, Parenting Payments, Youth Allowance, Rent Assistance, Low Income Health Care Card cut offs etc. See attached for details. “Ready reckoner” charts will be organised shortly kind courtesy of James Joseph & will be forwarded when available. Short summary of the main areas are as follows: PENSIONS: Single Rate was $867 pf…. Now $873.90 pf….. Increase of $6.90 Couple EACH was $653.50 pf. ….Now $658.70….Increase of $5.20 ea Cut off points: Pension Income test Single was $1896 pf (49,296 pa) …. Now $1909.80 pf (49,654.80 pa) Couple comb was $2902 pf (75,452 pa). Now $2922.80 pf (75,992.80 pa) Cut off points: Pension Assets Test Single Homeowner, was $783,500; Now $788,250. Couple Homeowners, was ...

Health and views March 2016 2nd Issue Click here to read more Health & Views March 2nd issue ...

Sri Lankan-born singer Elsz is putting out a powerful message about domestic violence in her song, Poison Sri Lankan-born singer Elsz is putting out a powerful message about domestic violence in her song, Poison, which is being released in conjunction with the 2016 International Women’s Day. The Glebe singer said the song is about love, violence, self sacrifice, shame and abuse with proceeds donated to Women in Need, a national service provider in her native Sri Lanka. Elsz, who calls her music a mix of dark pop and experimental R&B, launches the song in Sydney on March 17. Poison was recorded by French film maker Joseph Paris and is being released as a documentary style clip and features a confronting dialogue between her and her abusive partner. “Our greatest self defence is telling our stories. As an artist and a survivor of abuse, I hope this song will inspire other ...

An Association for Media Artists Association Of Media Artists (AOMA) a platform for all media artists to network and showcase their talents and abilities was officially launched at a small celebration in Sydney recently. Mr W A Jayasinghe, MrHiranKulatilaka and MrsSharmilaJayasinghe Niriella who are officer bearers of AOMA spoke on the occasion highlighting the uniqueness of the association in providing avenues for the creative to showcase their work and their abilities and also in recognizing and enhancing the creativity of the younger generation. Marking the launch of AOMA, a token of a set of books of HunuWatayeKathawa was presented by the president of the association Mr W A Jayasinghe to the guest of honor Dr Shelton Premaratne who is also the co producer of the drama in Sri Lanka.Among the future endeavors the association is hoping to undertake are the production of HunuWatayeKathawadrama in Australia with a whole new cast ...

The Big Match By Anura Gunasekera In the beginning there was the Royal-Thomian .Then followed the others , pre-fixed as “Big” and identified by different colours, religious figures , fruits and thus invested with significance; “The Battle”,of this , that and the other!!! But The Royal – Thomian, supreme in its uniqueness, stands aloof from the herd and will always be “The Big Match”. ...

Dilemma Of Cholesterol And Saturated Fat by Dr Harold Gunatillake Health writer Eggs, butter, full-fat dairy products, nuts, coconut oil and meat have now been classified as ‘safe’ This article has become Breaking News today and viral. Many readers may be cautious to accept this new concept as Gospel truth or as hype. They will want further clarification, explanations and confidence and time would enlighten them. We said it over a decade ago repeatedly in our health articles published in the mass media and newsletters that some of the so called fat containing foods is healthy and heart-friendly and not to worry about the cholesterol numbers We said especially eggs and coconut oil, considered unhealthy foods demonised by vested Western interests, were healthy and heart friendly for you. Why did we put up this bold front when all health pundits in the developed world condemned them right along, including the ...

Losing balance is quite common with age Compiled by Dr harold Gunatillake-Health advisor Since of late, I observe that some of our friends and colleagues are walking with the aid of a walking stick, and others without, all complaining about difficulty in controlling ones balance and posture at rest and on walking. Your balance begins to deteriorate from the Age of 40. Regardless of your age, if you can’t stand steadily on one leg for at least 15 seconds — with or without your eyes closed — then you definitely need to start practicing as soon as possible to improve your balance. ...

Blue White and Blue – Joes Australia Newsletter First Quarter 2016. Click here to read more Blue White and Blue – Joes Australia Newsletter First Quarter 2016 ...