Welfare group wants concessions restored

The federal government should immediately restore pensioner concessions cut from last year's budget or risk hurting vulnerable Australians, a welfare group says.

SA's Council of Social Services (SACOSS) says the commonwealth should take an "exemplary leadership" role on the funding for concessions for rates, utility bills, public transport fares and car registrations.

The South Australian government has agreed to cover the concessions until July and has been engaged in a media and political campaign to have Canberra restore the funds.

"This started with a decision by the federal government to cut money from South Australia and it should finish with an immediate reinstatement of these funds," SACOSS executive director Ross Womersley said on Wednesday.

SACOSS is hosting a conference bringing together leaders from the energy, water and telecommunications sectors, policy makers and welfare groups to discuss responses to people in hardship.

Mr Womersley says energy, water and telecommunication prices are still far higher than they should be.

"Too many people are still being disconnected or simply cannot afford to maintain access to these vital basic services," he said.