Grant Woodhams launches The Nationals’ age pensioner fuel card
Author: Grant Woodhams
Published on: 05-August-2008
An estimated 40,000 registered age pensioners residing in country WA will be able
to apply for a special $500 debit card to help them to cope with rising fuel costs if
The Nationals gain the balance of power at the next State election.
The party will use its voting leverage in the Parliament to ensure the Government of
the day introduces an annual Country Age Pension (CAP) Fuel Card for all eligible
country-based age pensioners.
Launching the policy in Geraldton today Grant Woodhams MLA said the fuel card
would be non-transferable, limited to one per family, computer-linked to the
odometers of approved pensioner vehicles and capped at $500 annually.
“Unfortunately the 2008-09 Federal Budget failed to address the impact of rising fuel
costs on country pensioners and the State Government has not made any
meaningful attempt to protect the well-being of age pensioners,” Mr Woodhams said.
“Age pensioners in regional WA have been hit especially hard by rising fuel costs
because of their need to travel greater distances to access essential services such
as health care.
“Unlike those living in the metropolitan area country age pensioners generally do not
have access to public transport and are almost totally reliant on the motor vehicle.”
Mr Woodhams said the Labor Government’s hub-and-spoke health delivery model
had resulted in many small country hospitals being downgraded placing greater
reliance on private vehicles to travel to the larger, more distant regional hub
hospitals.
“The State Government has done little for country age pensioners and has routinely
refused to increase concessions for expenses such as electricity, water, public
transport, motor vehicle registration and public housing rents,” he said.
“The Nationals value age pensioners and we see the fuel card as a way of helping
keep them in our towns.”
Mr Woodhams said the CAP Fuel Card would be registered for use at any fuel outlet
in WA. The single pension rate is $546.80 per fortnight, while couple receive $913.60.
