The Nationals WA have slammed the Cook Labor Government for stripping more than $25 million from regional pensioners, accusing them of robbing vulnerable seniors while pouring billions into Perth projects like Metronet.
Leader Shane Love MLA said Labor’s cuts to the Regional Pensioner Travel Card – formerly known as the Country Age Pension Fuel Card – had taken hundreds of dollars from the pockets of regional pensioners struggling with rising costs.
“In 2016, The Nationals in Government indexed the Fuel Card to CPI, ensuring it kept pace with rising fuel and transport costs,” Mr Love said.
“One of WA Labor’s first acts in Government was to strip away that indexation, leaving the card stuck at just $575 for seven years, while fuel prices soared.
“Only after years of pressure from The Nationals WA and skyrocketing fuel prices did Labor finally increase the card’s value last year – but the damage was already done.
Mr Love said new analysis by The Nationals WA using inflation figures from the Reserve Bank of Australia, found that Labor has pocketed $25.1 million since 2017 by freezing the Fuel Card.
“That’s $25 million which should have gone to regional pensioners but was instead funnelled into wasteful projects,” Mr Love said.
“This equates to a loss of $455 per pensioner, at a time when seniors have faced rising costs on everything from groceries to housing to fuel.”
The Nationals WA spokesperson for Seniors and candidate for Warren-Blackwood, Bevan Eatts, said The Nationals in Government would boost the Regional Pensioner Travel Card to $800 and reinstate CPI indexation, ensuring pensioners never again fall behind due to Labor’s neglect.
“This will be the biggest increase in the history of the Fuel Card, restoring its value after years of cuts and ensuring pensioners get the support they need,” Mr Eatts said.
“And for the first time ever, pensioners in rural communities in the Perth Hills will have access to this important cost-of-living measure through Royalties for Regions, ensuring they receive the same support as other regional seniors.”
Mr Eatts said The Nationals WA fought for and introduced the Fuel Card in 2009 to recognise the higher transport costs regional pensioners face compared to their city counterparts.
“While those in Perth and Mandurah can jump on a free train or bus, regional pensioners must rely on their own cars, taxis, or lifts from family and friends to attend medical appointments, do their shopping, and stay connected in their communities.”
