❓ Hon Sue Ellery questions the adequacy of the cost-of-living rebate for seniors, given rising utility and service costs. Hon Robyn McSweeney defends the rebate, highlighting its introduction by the Liberal government and the amount spent, while also blaming the Labor party for high electricity prices.
AnsweredQoN 554Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SENIORS — COST-OF-LIVING REBATE
Given that increases in electricity, gas and water charges; motor vehicle registrations; and emergency services levies for WA seniors mean that their bills are now, on average, nearly $700 more a year, and the cost-of-living rebate payments range from $78 to $157, will the minister make it a priority to revisit the concessions for services for these seniors before next winter? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
Given that increases in electricity, gas and water charges; motor vehicle registrations; and emergency services levies for WA seniors mean that their bills are now, on average, nearly $700 more a year, and the cost-of-living rebate payments range from $78 to $157, will the minister make it a priority to revisit the concessions for services for these seniors before next winter? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. I think the Labor Party has a very small memory. It was our government, the Liberal government, that introduced the cost-of-living rebate for pensioners. The reason we introduced the cost-of-living rebate was to give something back to seniors so they could use that money for whatever they wanted. Electricity prices are high because of the Labor government’s mismanagement over many, many years. Hon Sue Ellery : For heavens sake! Minister, a $700 increase in bills. The cost-of-living rebate does not match it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : This government has spent more than $21 million on the cost-of-living rebate, which seniors are telling me they are using and they are very appreciative of that money. Hon Sue Ellery : They still can’t pay their bills, minister.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. I think the Labor Party has a very small memory. It was our government, the Liberal government, that introduced the cost-of-living rebate for pensioners. The reason we introduced the cost-of-living rebate was to give something back to seniors so they could use that money for whatever they wanted. Electricity prices are high because of the Labor government’s mismanagement over many, many years. Hon Sue Ellery : For heavens sake! Minister, a $700 increase in bills. The cost-of-living rebate does not match it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : This government has spent more than $21 million on the cost-of-living rebate, which seniors are telling me they are using and they are very appreciative of that money. Hon Sue Ellery : They still can’t pay their bills, minister.
I thank the member for the question. I think the Labor Party has a very small memory. It was our government, the Liberal government, that introduced the cost-of-living rebate for pensioners. The reason we introduced the cost-of-living rebate was to give something back to seniors so they could use that money for whatever they wanted. Electricity prices are high because of the Labor government’s mismanagement over many, many years. Hon Sue Ellery : For heavens sake! Minister, a $700 increase in bills. The cost-of-living rebate does not match it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : This government has spent more than $21 million on the cost-of-living rebate, which seniors are telling me they are using and they are very appreciative of that money. Hon Sue Ellery : They still can’t pay their bills, minister.
Hon Sue Ellery : For heavens sake! Minister, a $700 increase in bills. The cost-of-living rebate does not match it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : This government has spent more than $21 million on the cost-of-living rebate, which seniors are telling me they are using and they are very appreciative of that money. Hon Sue Ellery : They still can’t pay their bills, minister.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : This government has spent more than $21 million on the cost-of-living rebate, which seniors are telling me they are using and they are very appreciative of that money. Hon Sue Ellery : They still can’t pay their bills, minister.
Hon Sue Ellery : They still can’t pay their bills, minister.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. I think the Labor Party has a very small memory. It was our government, the Liberal government, that introduced the cost-of-living rebate for pensioners. The reason we introduced the cost-of-living rebate was to give something back to seniors so they could use that money for whatever they wanted. Electricity prices are high because of the Labor government’s mismanagement over many, many years. Hon Sue Ellery : For heavens sake! Minister, a $700 increase in bills. The cost-of-living rebate does not match it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : This government has spent more than $21 million on the cost-of-living rebate, which seniors are telling me they are using and they are very appreciative of that money. Hon Sue Ellery : They still can’t pay their bills, minister.
I thank the member for the question. I think the Labor Party has a very small memory. It was our government, the Liberal government, that introduced the cost-of-living rebate for pensioners. The reason we introduced the cost-of-living rebate was to give something back to seniors so they could use that money for whatever they wanted. Electricity prices are high because of the Labor government’s mismanagement over many, many years. Hon Sue Ellery : For heavens sake! Minister, a $700 increase in bills. The cost-of-living rebate does not match it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : This government has spent more than $21 million on the cost-of-living rebate, which seniors are telling me they are using and they are very appreciative of that money. Hon Sue Ellery : They still can’t pay their bills, minister.
Hon Sue Ellery : For heavens sake! Minister, a $700 increase in bills. The cost-of-living rebate does not match it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : This government has spent more than $21 million on the cost-of-living rebate, which seniors are telling me they are using and they are very appreciative of that money. Hon Sue Ellery : They still can’t pay their bills, minister.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : This government has spent more than $21 million on the cost-of-living rebate, which seniors are telling me they are using and they are very appreciative of that money. Hon Sue Ellery : They still can’t pay their bills, minister.
Hon Sue Ellery : They still can’t pay their bills, minister.
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