❓ Ms. Dalton asks how the increased Regional Pensioner Travel Card will provide more financial support for seniors. The Minister details the increase, rebranding, eligibility expansion, and overall investment, highlighting its importance for regional pensioners' transport needs.
AnsweredQoN 273Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
REGIONAL PENSIONER TRAVEL CARD
273. Ms L. DALTON to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
important cost-of-living support measures to assist Western Australians. Can
the minister advise the house how this government's recent increase to
the Regional Pensioner Travel Card will provide seniors in regional WA more
financial support for transport?
273. Ms L. DALTON to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
important cost-of-living support measures to assist Western Australians. Can
the minister advise the house how this government's recent increase to
the Regional Pensioner Travel Card will provide seniors in regional WA more
financial support for transport?
AnswerView source ↗
I certainly can. I thank the member
for her advocacy for her community in Geraldton. It is yielding some fabulous
results and the Minister for Tourism mentioned a few of those earlier.
I travelled to Geraldton with the
Premier and we met up with those very energetic seniors at the QEII Seniors and
Community Centre, who gave us a very warm welcome when we announced a $100
annual increase in the Regional Pensioner Travel Card. That increase will see
it rise to $675 a year, offering more transport support for nearly 60 000
eligible pensioners in our regions.
This card was formerly known as the
Country Age Pension Fuel Card. That meant that most people thought it was simply for people on an age pension, but it is far
broader than that, so we decided on a rebrand. We wanted to change it
from a dismal green colour that disappeared in wallets, and here is the new
card. It stands out so that people can instantly recognise what it is. It is
now available, too, for people on a Centrelink age pension, a carer payment,
the disability support pension, the Department of Veterans' Affairs
service pension and income support supplements. We expect it to be well
received in regional Western Australia. In fact, 57 503 people have already
received it, and we expect that to increase because we know that seniors are
growing as a demographic in our community.
The
$20 million extra that the Cook Labor government is putting into the card
through the upcoming state budget boosts a vital cost-of-living measure
for pensioners in regional WA. It takes the total investment in the Regional Pensioner
Travel Card over the next four years to nearly $160 million. That is a significant
investment. We on this side of the house know and understand how important it
is for regional people, particularly those on fixed
incomes, to travel for family reasons, medical appointments, volunteering or
even just shopping for essentials . We
acknowledge that pensioners living in regional WA do not have access to
metropolitan levels of public transport and often have to rely on their
own means of travel. That is why we have made this increase. I am particularly
proud that it is a measure that is responsibly targeted to those who are most
in need. I would like to thank all our regional members who advocated
tirelessly for this particular measure.
This
card builds on the Cook government's commitment to providing
cost-of-living relief for all Western Australians. And no matter where
we look, there are announcements about cost-of-living measures. It complements
other initiatives like the regional airfare zone cap scheme, electricity
credits, the WA Seniors Card benefits and the student assistance payment.
Several members interjected.
Mr D.T. PUNCH : Hear, hear! Yes, absolutely—and
other cost-of-living measures right across the board. It goes on. I have now
worked out why members opposite are so miserable when they come into this
place. It is because they have to sit here and listen to the fantastic work we
are doing on behalf of all Western Australians.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please,
members! The Leader of the Opposition with the last question
for her advocacy for her community in Geraldton. It is yielding some fabulous
results and the Minister for Tourism mentioned a few of those earlier.
I travelled to Geraldton with the
Premier and we met up with those very energetic seniors at the QEII Seniors and
Community Centre, who gave us a very warm welcome when we announced a $100
annual increase in the Regional Pensioner Travel Card. That increase will see
it rise to $675 a year, offering more transport support for nearly 60 000
eligible pensioners in our regions.
This card was formerly known as the
Country Age Pension Fuel Card. That meant that most people thought it was simply for people on an age pension, but it is far
broader than that, so we decided on a rebrand. We wanted to change it
from a dismal green colour that disappeared in wallets, and here is the new
card. It stands out so that people can instantly recognise what it is. It is
now available, too, for people on a Centrelink age pension, a carer payment,
the disability support pension, the Department of Veterans' Affairs
service pension and income support supplements. We expect it to be well
received in regional Western Australia. In fact, 57 503 people have already
received it, and we expect that to increase because we know that seniors are
growing as a demographic in our community.
The
$20 million extra that the Cook Labor government is putting into the card
through the upcoming state budget boosts a vital cost-of-living measure
for pensioners in regional WA. It takes the total investment in the Regional Pensioner
Travel Card over the next four years to nearly $160 million. That is a significant
investment. We on this side of the house know and understand how important it
is for regional people, particularly those on fixed
incomes, to travel for family reasons, medical appointments, volunteering or
even just shopping for essentials . We
acknowledge that pensioners living in regional WA do not have access to
metropolitan levels of public transport and often have to rely on their
own means of travel. That is why we have made this increase. I am particularly
proud that it is a measure that is responsibly targeted to those who are most
in need. I would like to thank all our regional members who advocated
tirelessly for this particular measure.
This
card builds on the Cook government's commitment to providing
cost-of-living relief for all Western Australians. And no matter where
we look, there are announcements about cost-of-living measures. It complements
other initiatives like the regional airfare zone cap scheme, electricity
credits, the WA Seniors Card benefits and the student assistance payment.
Several members interjected.
Mr D.T. PUNCH : Hear, hear! Yes, absolutely—and
other cost-of-living measures right across the board. It goes on. I have now
worked out why members opposite are so miserable when they come into this
place. It is because they have to sit here and listen to the fantastic work we
are doing on behalf of all Western Australians.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please,
members! The Leader of the Opposition with the last question
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