Dr. Constable raises concerns about inequities in the WA Seniors Card eligibility criteria, where some high-income earners working part-time qualify while lower-income earners working longer hours do not. The Minister acknowledges the possibility and states the criteria are routinely reviewed.

AnsweredQoN 60Legislative Assembly
Asked
26 May 2005
Portfolio
Seniors

QuestionView source ↗

(b) is the Minister aware that some highly paid professionals working less than 20 hours per week are WA Seniors Card holders yet individuals of the same age who are earn ing less and working more than 20 hours per week remain ineligible; (c) does the State Government plan to address the equity issue identified in (b); and (d) if not, why not?
(c) does the State Government plan to address the equity issue identified in (b); and (d) if not, why not?
(d) if not, why not?
(b) Due to the structure of the card's criteria, this is possible. (c-d) The Office for Seniors Interests and Volunteering routinely reviews all of its programs and services, including the Seniors Card and criteria.
(c-d) The Office for Seniors Interests and Volunteering routinely reviews all of its programs and services, including the Seniors Card and criteria.

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
28 June 2005
Responded by
Minister for Seniors
Response time
33 days
(a) The WA Seniors Card was established by the State Government in 1988 as a retirement card acknowledging seniors (people aged 60 years or more) for their long service to the community by providing access to private sector business discounts and to help keep retirees involved in the community. The working hours criteria was inserted to link to retirement.
(b) Due to the structure of the card's criteria, this is possible.
(c-d) The Office for Seniors Interests and Volunteering routinely reviews all of its programs and services, including the Seniors Card and criteria.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more