❓ Mr. Morton asks how the Liberal-National government supports seniors with household expenses. The Minister outlines the cost-of-living rebate, Seniors Card discounts on rates and electricity, and the age-friendly WA strategy.
AnsweredQoN 397Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SENIORS — HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES
397. MR N.W. MORTON to the Minister for Seniors and
Volunteering:
I am proud of the Liberal–National government's
commitment in supporting some of the most valued members of our community, our
seniors. With this mind, can the minister please outline to the house how this
government is supporting seniors in our community to pay their household
expenses?
397. MR N.W. MORTON to the Minister for Seniors and
Volunteering:
I am proud of the Liberal–National government's
commitment in supporting some of the most valued members of our community, our
seniors. With this mind, can the minister please outline to the house how this
government is supporting seniors in our community to pay their household
expenses?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
Last month I had the opportunity to give out a cost-of-living rebate. Our
government brought this in in 2008. I am proud to say that we have accessed 288
000 Seniors Card holders and we have given out over $152 million to seniors
since 2008. The Liberal government has a very strong record. We acknowledge
that people on low or fixed incomes will struggle with the cost of living. That
is why we give out $159.90 to singles and $239.90 to couples. Many seniors on
low incomes are struggling. We should keep in mind that in Australia, this will
be the first year more people will be turning 60 years old than babies will be
born. The Liberal–National government recognises the efforts seniors
have put into our community, so they need the respect of the government and
financial help through the cost-of-living rebate. The actual Seniors Card
payments are paid directly into their bank accounts.
The state government also offers
through their Seniors Card discounts on shire rates and water rates and
assistance through the electricity provider. We recently made changes so that
retirees in group housing can also access the discount. We have also developed
an age-friendly WA strategy for seniors. This is all part of our government
supporting seniors in our community to help them live with the costs of living
and to support them in their everyday lives.
Last month I had the opportunity to give out a cost-of-living rebate. Our
government brought this in in 2008. I am proud to say that we have accessed 288
000 Seniors Card holders and we have given out over $152 million to seniors
since 2008. The Liberal government has a very strong record. We acknowledge
that people on low or fixed incomes will struggle with the cost of living. That
is why we give out $159.90 to singles and $239.90 to couples. Many seniors on
low incomes are struggling. We should keep in mind that in Australia, this will
be the first year more people will be turning 60 years old than babies will be
born. The Liberal–National government recognises the efforts seniors
have put into our community, so they need the respect of the government and
financial help through the cost-of-living rebate. The actual Seniors Card
payments are paid directly into their bank accounts.
The state government also offers
through their Seniors Card discounts on shire rates and water rates and
assistance through the electricity provider. We recently made changes so that
retirees in group housing can also access the discount. We have also developed
an age-friendly WA strategy for seniors. This is all part of our government
supporting seniors in our community to help them live with the costs of living
and to support them in their everyday lives.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.