❓ Hon Sue Ellery questions the Minister for Seniors and Volunteering about the Barnett government's failure to increase the Seniors Card eligibility work hour limit, referencing comments made by the member for Southern River. The Minister deflects, citing Labor's past inaction and promising action at budget time.
AnsweredQoN 42Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SENIORS CARD — ELIGIBILITY
I refer to the failure of the Barnett government to lift the number of hours per week that a senior may work to be eligible for a Seniors Card. Does the minister agree with the comments the member for Southern River made, as reported today on the front page of the Gosnells edition of the Examiner , when he said he supported the existing eligibility criteria and that “if someone is working more than 20 hours per week then they have clearly not retired and are still generating a significant income”? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
I refer to the failure of the Barnett government to lift the number of hours per week that a senior may work to be eligible for a Seniors Card. Does the minister agree with the comments the member for Southern River made, as reported today on the front page of the Gosnells edition of the Examiner , when he said he supported the existing eligibility criteria and that “if someone is working more than 20 hours per week then they have clearly not retired and are still generating a significant income”? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. I will refer to the Labor government’s failures when it was in government — Several members interjected. Hon Sue Ellery : Why don’t you answer the question? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I will; I will get to that. But, first of all, listen to Labor’s failures. In 2003 the Labor Party reviewed the Seniors Card and did nothing. In 2006 there was another review of the Seniors Card — Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. I will refer to the Labor government’s failures when it was in government — Several members interjected. Hon Sue Ellery : Why don’t you answer the question? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I will; I will get to that. But, first of all, listen to Labor’s failures. In 2003 the Labor Party reviewed the Seniors Card and did nothing. In 2006 there was another review of the Seniors Card — Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
I thank the member for the question. I will refer to the Labor government’s failures when it was in government — Several members interjected. Hon Sue Ellery : Why don’t you answer the question? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I will; I will get to that. But, first of all, listen to Labor’s failures. In 2003 the Labor Party reviewed the Seniors Card and did nothing. In 2006 there was another review of the Seniors Card — Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Several members interjected. Hon Sue Ellery : Why don’t you answer the question? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I will; I will get to that. But, first of all, listen to Labor’s failures. In 2003 the Labor Party reviewed the Seniors Card and did nothing. In 2006 there was another review of the Seniors Card — Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon Sue Ellery : Why don’t you answer the question? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I will; I will get to that. But, first of all, listen to Labor’s failures. In 2003 the Labor Party reviewed the Seniors Card and did nothing. In 2006 there was another review of the Seniors Card — Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I will; I will get to that. But, first of all, listen to Labor’s failures. In 2003 the Labor Party reviewed the Seniors Card and did nothing. In 2006 there was another review of the Seniors Card — Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for the question. I will refer to the Labor government’s failures when it was in government — Several members interjected. Hon Sue Ellery : Why don’t you answer the question? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I will; I will get to that. But, first of all, listen to Labor’s failures. In 2003 the Labor Party reviewed the Seniors Card and did nothing. In 2006 there was another review of the Seniors Card — Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
I thank the member for the question. I will refer to the Labor government’s failures when it was in government — Several members interjected. Hon Sue Ellery : Why don’t you answer the question? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I will; I will get to that. But, first of all, listen to Labor’s failures. In 2003 the Labor Party reviewed the Seniors Card and did nothing. In 2006 there was another review of the Seniors Card — Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Several members interjected. Hon Sue Ellery : Why don’t you answer the question? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I will; I will get to that. But, first of all, listen to Labor’s failures. In 2003 the Labor Party reviewed the Seniors Card and did nothing. In 2006 there was another review of the Seniors Card — Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon Sue Ellery : Why don’t you answer the question? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I will; I will get to that. But, first of all, listen to Labor’s failures. In 2003 the Labor Party reviewed the Seniors Card and did nothing. In 2006 there was another review of the Seniors Card — Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I will; I will get to that. But, first of all, listen to Labor’s failures. In 2003 the Labor Party reviewed the Seniors Card and did nothing. In 2006 there was another review of the Seniors Card — Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon Sue Ellery : So you’re going to do nothing—is that the answer? The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
The PRESIDENT : Order! The old adage in this place is that you do not have to like an answer you hear, or you do not have to agree with it, but you do have to listen to it. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : When we came into government we said that we would review the Seniors Card. Part of that review would be to look at the hours. We have done that review. Unlike the Labor Party, which did nothing, this government will do something. At budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will know what this government is going to do with the Seniors Card. Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon Sue Ellery : Except that is what the minister said about the midyear review. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Yes, I did say that about the midyear review. Sometimes in government things take longer than one would like. The former government, from 2003 to when it was not in government, had been reviewing the Seniors Card and did sweet nothing! Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon Sue Ellery : I did not make a promise; you did. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No; you did. In 2003 you made a promise. Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon Sue Ellery : I didn’t make a promise. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, not you personally. The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
The PRESIDENT : Order! The whole point of an interjection, surely, is to make some sort of point. If 19 members try to make a point at the same time, Hansard has not got any chance of picking up the interjections anyhow. So do not interject. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Thank you, Mr President. We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
We are looking at the possibility of changing those 20 hours. Hopefully, at budget time the Leader of the Opposition, along with everybody else, will see what we have done with the Seniors Card. The Western Australian Seniors Card is considered the best in the country. It provides significantly more state government concessions than any other state–territory value. It should be noted that five of the eight jurisdictions base eligibility for the Seniors Card on 20 or fewer hours’ work per week. Western Australia is the only state to make a cost-of-living payment to provide a safety and security rebate, and provide an air conditioning subsidy for seniors. We are extremely generous to our seniors.
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