❓ Mr Lilburne asks about cost-of-living relief for seniors, and the Minister responds by outlining current government initiatives and criticising the previous Liberal-National government's record.
AnsweredQoN 410Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COST-OF-LIVING RELIEF — SENIORS
410. Mr P. LILBURNE to the Minister for Seniors and Ageing:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to deliver genuine
cost-of-living relief for Western Australians.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how this government is providing assistance to
ease the cost of living for older Western Australians?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this compares with the record of the former
Liberal–National government?
410. Mr P. LILBURNE to the Minister for Seniors and Ageing:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to deliver genuine
cost-of-living relief for Western Australians.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how this government is providing assistance to
ease the cost of living for older Western Australians?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this compares with the record of the former
Liberal–National government?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for this very
important question.
(1)–(2) The Cook government will always work to support
our seniors. With the proportion of older people in o ur state increasing
rapidly, it is more important than ever to ensure that our seniors can access
concessions and rebates that help address household expenditure. I am very
proud that Western Australian seniors can continue to access the most generous
range of state government concessions and rebates in Australia, with the soon
to be released free WA Seniors Card discount directory 2023–24 .
These directories go like hotcakes, and the
2023–24 edition will be even better. It includes more than 800 discounts
from businesses around Western Australia
that provide a whole range of goods and services to help older Western Australians with the cost of living. What is really pleasing is that this year, with a dedicated
commitment to working with regional businesses,
we now have a special listing of 83 regional businesses. I really thank those
local businesses that are getting out there and supporting the
directory. We will continue to work with regional businesses to increase that
number.
We are also taking steps to make sure
that WA seniors, no matter where they live, receive the support they are entitled to. With over 400 000 seniors
already signed up for the WA Seniors Card, I am on a mission to increase
that number. Under this government, we have introduced Seniors Card regional
roadshows right around the state. On 41 separate dates this year, our Seniors
Card Centre staff will be on the road, meeting people where they live and
making sure seniors are getting the maximum cost-of-living benefits from a host
of programs.
Our election commitment was to
restore the seniors' safety and security rebate, which was axed under
the previous Liberal–National government. That program goes from
strength to strength. As members would be aware, it provides an opportunity to
claim up to $400 per household for eligible home-security equipment. I am very
pleased to inform the house that over 8 000 claims have been made, totalling
more than $3 million.
At this moment we are preparing to
deliver a record spend on our seniors' cost-of-living rebate, which is
due to eligible seniors next month. WA Seniors Card members will share in more
than $28 million this year. Many members would be aware that this rebate was
also cut under the previous Liberal–National government. I am pleased
to say that cost-of-living measures for seniors are going to be increased by
over $15.6 million over the next four years as a key part of the Cook
government's $715 million cost-of-living package, delivered in the 2023–24 state budget. Along with this
rebate, seniors will continue to have access to a generous range of state government concessions and rebates,
including free off-peak public transport —thank you, Minister for
Transport; the Country Age Pension Fuel Card—thank you again, Minister
for Transport; and concessions on local
government rates and water services charges—thank you, Minister for Water and Minister for Local Government.
Ms R. Saffioti : Can I claim
that one?
Mr D.T. PUNCH : The Minister
for Transport will claim those, too! We have the most generous mix of state
government concessions in the whole country. Of course, we also have yet
another $400 electricity credit on the way—thank you, Minister for
Energy. The Cook government is ensuring that Western Australian Seniors Card
members continue to have access to the greatest range of state government
concessions and rebates in Australia. Unlike those opposite, we will always be
a friend to WA seniors.
The SPEAKER : The Leader of
the Opposition with the last question.
important question.
(1)–(2) The Cook government will always work to support
our seniors. With the proportion of older people in o ur state increasing
rapidly, it is more important than ever to ensure that our seniors can access
concessions and rebates that help address household expenditure. I am very
proud that Western Australian seniors can continue to access the most generous
range of state government concessions and rebates in Australia, with the soon
to be released free WA Seniors Card discount directory 2023–24 .
These directories go like hotcakes, and the
2023–24 edition will be even better. It includes more than 800 discounts
from businesses around Western Australia
that provide a whole range of goods and services to help older Western Australians with the cost of living. What is really pleasing is that this year, with a dedicated
commitment to working with regional businesses,
we now have a special listing of 83 regional businesses. I really thank those
local businesses that are getting out there and supporting the
directory. We will continue to work with regional businesses to increase that
number.
We are also taking steps to make sure
that WA seniors, no matter where they live, receive the support they are entitled to. With over 400 000 seniors
already signed up for the WA Seniors Card, I am on a mission to increase
that number. Under this government, we have introduced Seniors Card regional
roadshows right around the state. On 41 separate dates this year, our Seniors
Card Centre staff will be on the road, meeting people where they live and
making sure seniors are getting the maximum cost-of-living benefits from a host
of programs.
Our election commitment was to
restore the seniors' safety and security rebate, which was axed under
the previous Liberal–National government. That program goes from
strength to strength. As members would be aware, it provides an opportunity to
claim up to $400 per household for eligible home-security equipment. I am very
pleased to inform the house that over 8 000 claims have been made, totalling
more than $3 million.
At this moment we are preparing to
deliver a record spend on our seniors' cost-of-living rebate, which is
due to eligible seniors next month. WA Seniors Card members will share in more
than $28 million this year. Many members would be aware that this rebate was
also cut under the previous Liberal–National government. I am pleased
to say that cost-of-living measures for seniors are going to be increased by
over $15.6 million over the next four years as a key part of the Cook
government's $715 million cost-of-living package, delivered in the 2023–24 state budget. Along with this
rebate, seniors will continue to have access to a generous range of state government concessions and rebates,
including free off-peak public transport —thank you, Minister for
Transport; the Country Age Pension Fuel Card—thank you again, Minister
for Transport; and concessions on local
government rates and water services charges—thank you, Minister for Water and Minister for Local Government.
Ms R. Saffioti : Can I claim
that one?
Mr D.T. PUNCH : The Minister
for Transport will claim those, too! We have the most generous mix of state
government concessions in the whole country. Of course, we also have yet
another $400 electricity credit on the way—thank you, Minister for
Energy. The Cook government is ensuring that Western Australian Seniors Card
members continue to have access to the greatest range of state government
concessions and rebates in Australia. Unlike those opposite, we will always be
a friend to WA seniors.
The SPEAKER : The Leader of
the Opposition with the last question.
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