❓ Mr. Stephens raises concerns about Pilbara pensioners unable to use fuel cards for taxis due to lack of card readers. The Minister acknowledges the issue, explains the reasons for not providing vouchers, and states the scheme is under review.
AnsweredQoN 1820Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware that senior residents of some towns in the Pilbara are unable to utilise the Pensioners Fuel Card as their local taxis cannot afford the machines to read the cards?
(2) Will the Minister immediately put in place plans to supply pensioners in those towns with a form of pre-paid taxi voucher to substitute for the card so that these senior residents will not be discriminated against; and
(a) if not, why not?
(2) Will the Minister immediately put in place plans to supply pensioners in those towns with a form of pre-paid taxi voucher to substitute for the card so that these senior residents will not be discriminated against; and
(a) if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 November 2009
Responded by
Minister for Regional Development
Response time
34 days
I requested the Department of Regional Development and Lands to investigate this matter. Twenty four Pilbara fuel outlets accept the Country Age Pension Fuel Card in the locations of Dampier, Karratha, Karijini (Auski Roadhouse), Newman, Onslow, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland, Roebourne, South Hedland, Tom Price and Wickham. By late October the 249 Pilbara card holders had expended more than $60,000 on fuel products and $2000 on taxi travel.
(1) The card is accepted by four Pilbara taxi companies located in Karratha, Port Hedland and South Hedland. These taxi companies offer non-cash payment systems.
The card is not accepted by the taxi companies located in Onslow, Tom Price and Newman. I am advised that these companies do not offer a non-cash payment system and have never offered a non-cash payment system. I understand that one of the companies has new owners and is strongly considering the installation of a non-cash payment system. The other companies cite lack of demand for such a service. There is no evidence, as suggested by the Member for Pilbara, that the cost of machines to read the cards is a factor contributing to the decision not to move to a non-cash payment system.
(2) The scheme commenced on 1 May 2009 and I am committed to improving the scheme where it needs improvement. During policy development and market research stages of the fuel card scheme, the provision of cash and/or vouchers was analysed at length, but was determined to have too many flaws by the Office of Government Procurement and the Department of Regional Development and Lands, due to the higher cost of administration and the higher risk of fraud. The Department of Regional Development and Lands is presently reviewing the scheme with a view to improving the scheme policy, product and administration. The Department of Regional Development and Lands is also re-examining local taxi voucher payment options.
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(1) The card is accepted by four Pilbara taxi companies located in Karratha, Port Hedland and South Hedland. These taxi companies offer non-cash payment systems.
The card is not accepted by the taxi companies located in Onslow, Tom Price and Newman. I am advised that these companies do not offer a non-cash payment system and have never offered a non-cash payment system. I understand that one of the companies has new owners and is strongly considering the installation of a non-cash payment system. The other companies cite lack of demand for such a service. There is no evidence, as suggested by the Member for Pilbara, that the cost of machines to read the cards is a factor contributing to the decision not to move to a non-cash payment system.
(2) The scheme commenced on 1 May 2009 and I am committed to improving the scheme where it needs improvement. During policy development and market research stages of the fuel card scheme, the provision of cash and/or vouchers was analysed at length, but was determined to have too many flaws by the Office of Government Procurement and the Department of Regional Development and Lands, due to the higher cost of administration and the higher risk of fraud. The Department of Regional Development and Lands is presently reviewing the scheme with a view to improving the scheme policy, product and administration. The Department of Regional Development and Lands is also re-examining local taxi voucher payment options.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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