MEDICAL HEATING AND COOLING CONCESSION

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:40): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion questions in relation to the medical heating and cooling concession.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: On 20 December, the minister reannounced a 2011-12 budget measure relating to the medical heating and cooling concession. In encouraging people to apply for the concession, he stated that up to 2,000 people would be eligible for $158 per year from 1 January 2012. In recent weeks, the opposition has received a number of complaints from consumers who applied for the concession in January but who have now been waiting in excess of two months for confirmation of their concession, let alone to receive it. My questions are:

1. How many people have applied for the government's medical heating and cooling concession?

2. How many of the applicants have been found to be eligible?

3. How many applicants are yet to have their eligibility confirmed?

4. How many people found to be eligible have started receiving the concession?

5. How long will the remaining applicants need to wait?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:41): I thank the honourable member for his very important questions. As the honourable member said, the government launched the medical heating and cooling concession on 20 December 2011. The concession was announced in the 2011-12 state budget, with cabinet approving $1.8 million over four years to provide assistance to people on low incomes who incur high energy costs because of their medical need to use an air conditioner on a frequent and/or prolonged basis.

The medical heating and cooling concession is administered by the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion. It commenced from 1 January 2012 and provides $158 per year, initially backdated to 1 July 2011, increasing to $165 per year on 1 July 2012. The concession is available to South Australians who are either receiving an eligible Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs pension or allowance or hold an eligible card and have confirmation from their doctor of their need for heating and cooling as a result of their medical condition.

I am advised that, as of 9 March 2012, there have been approximately 2,705 telephone inquiries and that 1,622 applications have been received. One hundred and thirty-four applications have been approved, and I am advised that three have been declined. Approximately 400 applicants require further follow-up, with applicants to obtain additional information before they can be assessed.