Nationals promise Aged Pensioner fuel card increase

Press Release from The Nationals.

Geraldton pensioners with a Royalties for Regions’ Country Aged Pension Fuel Card will receive more assistance with fuel and transport costs, if The Nationals WA retain the balance of power in the State election.

The Nationals WA candidate for Geraldton, Shane Van Styn said 3,556 pensioners in the Geraldton electorate were already enjoying the benefits of the Fuel Card since it had been delivered by Royalties for Regions.

Van Styn said as part of The Nationals WA ongoing commitment to regional pensioners, they have committed to increase the annual value of the Country Age Pension Fuel Card in line with CPI to $550.

“This is real assistance to deal with the cost of living pressures faced by seniors in regional WA,” Van Styn said.

“Living in the county means pensioners don’t always have access to suitable public transport and as a result they must rely on private transport to attend medical appointments, shopping and social outings.

“They should not be unfairly disadvantaged because they chose to live in regional WA and this scheme addresses the inequity.”

State-wide, more than 45,000 regional pensioners have already benefited from the scheme and the increase would ensure the Fuel Card would continue to deliver.

Van Styn also said the Fuel Card had been well received and it was making a positive difference in regional WA.

“This increase is going to add to the benefits the Fuel Card has already delivered for people in Geraldton,” Van Styn said.

“It has directly helped pensioners, but it has also made a big difference to regional families, businesses and communities.

He also said the Fuel Card was another example of The Nationals WA commitment to regional WA.