❓ Ms. Quirk questions the Treasurer on whether the state government will backfill federal cuts to seniors' concessions, given conflicting statements from the Minister for Seniors. The Treasurer confirms the standard policy of not backfilling but mentions a review of concessions is underway.
AnsweredQoN 384Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SENIORS — CONCESSIONS FUNDING
384. Ms M.M. QUIRK to the Treasurer:
I refer to the Treasurer's comments during the estimates
hearing that the state government will not backfill the $25.4 million in
seniors and pensioners concessions that the federal government intends to
withdraw this year. Does the Treasurer stand by his comments? Is he aware that
his colleague the Minister for Seniors and Volunteering has promised there will
be no changes to seniors concessions regardless of any federal changes?
384. Ms M.M. QUIRK to the Treasurer:
I refer to the Treasurer's comments during the estimates
hearing that the state government will not backfill the $25.4 million in
seniors and pensioners concessions that the federal government intends to
withdraw this year. Does the Treasurer stand by his comments? Is he aware that
his colleague the Minister for Seniors and Volunteering has promised there will
be no changes to seniors concessions regardless of any federal changes?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
I remember that when the state budget was brought down, the commonwealth budget
had not been brought down and we had all sorts of issues with joint programs.
The standard policy is that if the commonwealth withdraws programs, we will not
backfill funding. My colleague the Minister for Seniors and Volunteering
reiterated and made clear to me and to the member for Girrawheen—if she
was listening—that he is having a dialogue with seniors and others, including
associations such as the Western
Australian Council of Social Service, to discuss concessions. There are over 60
non–means tested concessions across a raft of areas. In my budget
speech I indicated that the government would review these concessions. The
decision of the commonwealth government has highlighted the need for a review
and brought it forward. We are in that process and we are having a dialogue
with the parties. The member will have to watch this space for how it rolls
out, but we will talk with seniors and other impacted groups and associations
and work through this challenge.
I remember that when the state budget was brought down, the commonwealth budget
had not been brought down and we had all sorts of issues with joint programs.
The standard policy is that if the commonwealth withdraws programs, we will not
backfill funding. My colleague the Minister for Seniors and Volunteering
reiterated and made clear to me and to the member for Girrawheen—if she
was listening—that he is having a dialogue with seniors and others, including
associations such as the Western
Australian Council of Social Service, to discuss concessions. There are over 60
non–means tested concessions across a raft of areas. In my budget
speech I indicated that the government would review these concessions. The
decision of the commonwealth government has highlighted the need for a review
and brought it forward. We are in that process and we are having a dialogue
with the parties. The member will have to watch this space for how it rolls
out, but we will talk with seniors and other impacted groups and associations
and work through this challenge.
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