GLENN STERLE

LABOR SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

SENATOR FOR HASLUCK

HON MICHELLE ROBERTS

SHADOW MINISTER FOR POLICE; ROAD SAFETY; CRIME PREVENTION; CULTURE AND THE ARTS

MEMBER FOR MIDLAND

 

BARNETT LIBERALS TARGET SENIORS IN CITY OF SWAN

TO PAY FOR BUDGET MESS

 

Fast Facts:

 

·        Council rates will increase by as much as $500 for 2,211 City of Swan seniors

·        From July 1, more cuts to seniors’ concessions and discounts come into effect

·        General cost of living increases this week will mean an extra $248 on the average WA household budget

 

Barnett Liberals are targeting seniors in the City of Swan to pay for their mismanagement of the State’s finances.

 

The Barnett Liberals’ next round of cost of living increases come into effect this Wednesday on July 1, at the same time more cuts to seniors’ concessions are imposed.

 

It has been revealed that the Barnett Government’s decision to cap the 50 per cent local government rates subsidy, to come into effect next year, will see 45,103 WA seniors have their annual council rates bill increase by as much as $500.

 

In the City of Swan, information released to Parliament, reveals 1,630 seniors will be up $100 worse off under the new $550 cap and another 581 seniors will be $100 to $500 worse off.

 

The Cost of Living Assistance Payment which offers an energy rebate of $227 for all seniors has been scrapped and replaced with an Energy Assistance Payment restricted to people on a Commonwealth concession card.

 

The $200 Safety and Security Rebate has been abolished and to be eligible for the WA Seniors Card applicants will now have to be 61. This will continue to rise to 65 in 2023-24.

 

“Colin Barnett has blown the budget and he’s making seniors in the City of Swan pay for it.

“It’s mean spirited penny pinching from a Premier that simply doesn’t care,” Senator for Hasluck Glenn Sterle said.

 

“Colin Barnett is ripping hundreds of dollars off seniors and driving up the cost of living, but at the same time he’s happy to blow billions of dollars building monuments to himself.

 

“All of these cuts don’t include the Abbott Liberal Government’s hits to pensioners, even though Mr Abbott promised ‘no change to pensions’ before the election,” said Senator Sterle.

 

Midland MP Michelle Roberts said that these cost increases will hit her local constituents hard.

 

“The Liberal Government has massively increased electricity, gas and water bills for everyone.  It has increased vehicle license fees and put up public transport costs.  Now on top of all the huge increases in State taxes and charges it is hitting seniors further by taking away their much needed concessions”.

 

“This is a cruel blow to those who most need our support.  Seniors have worked hard all of their lives and should have been exempt from Colin Barnett’s razor gang”.

 

Cost of living increases from July 1, 2015

 

·        Electricity up 4.5 per cent or $76

·        Water, sewerage and drainage up 4.5 per cent or $67

·        Emergency Services Levy up 10.59 per cent or $25

·        Motor vehicle fees up 3.1 per cent or $39

·        Public Transport fares up 2.6 per cent  or $41 (assuming five return trips on full fares)

 

Total 2015-16 cost of living increase for the average WA household: $248

 

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Ben Wholagan (Sterle) – 0400 685 543

                               Michelle Roberts – 0419 932 216