Fuel card benefits pushed

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam is urging the State Government to ensure pensioners who enjoy the fuel card under current arrangements will continue to do so into the future, despite changes to the Federal Government’s assets test.

Mrs Mettam said the changes to the assets test will take place from January 1 next year and would result in some pensioners losing their fuel card.

The card was introduced in 2009 to provide aged pensioners with $575 travel allowance in regional WA to compensate for the free public transport Perth-based pensioners receive. Mrs Mettam has discussed the issue with the State Treasurer and is seeking a policy adjustment.

“The adjustment in policy would be at no greater cost to the State Government, but it would provide some consistency of assistance to those who live in regional WA as originally intended,” she said.

“I have written to the Treasurer to see if there is a way the State Government can at least ensure these pensioners who are set to lose their pension next year due to the asset test will continue to benefit from the fuel card.”