Winners And Losers: What Eight Families Hoped For . . . And What They Got

THE STEWARTS

Heathmont, part pensioners (Ruth not pictured) and self-funded retirees, married, two adult children.

Allan, 85, former technical officer

Ruth, 87, homemaker and artist

INCOME: $37,100 (combined), both pension payments and superannuation.

BUDGET IMPACT: no better off because their superannuation income was tax-exempt from July 1, 2007, and as a result they will not pay tax in 2008.

Eligible for the Utilities Allowance, increased from $107.20 to $500. The Seniors Concession allowance has increased from $218 to $500.

WHAT THEY HOPED FOR:

Allan: Climate change is real. We want the Government to invest in ways to stop using fossil fuels and fund better public transport. They need to fund this research, it can't be left to the public sector. We also have to invest in young children in the first six or seven years of life.

REACTION:

Allan: I don?t think there?s enough money for renewable energy, we want cleaner fossil fuels. Their policy is good, but it could be better.

ALEX