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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-07-02 Daily Xml
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PUBLIC TRANSPORT, SENIORS

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:03): My question is to the Minister for Transport. How many seniors are not able to travel for free on public transport during off-peak periods, and what is the government doing to assist these people? To take advantage of the free travel offer for seniors, people need to have a Seniors Card, be over 60 and a permanent resident, and not work more than 20 hours a week. The opposition has been informed that a number of people who are close to these limits cannot obtain free transport.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (15:04): The number of seniors who can travel for free on public transport is, I think, 257—

The Hon. J.M. Rankine: No, about 275,000. Between that and 300,000.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: About 275,000 more, at a minimum, than there were last week.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Not all at once. Not all on the same bus. For the member for Morphett to raise a question about the greatest extension of free travel to seniors in the history of the state, and to be critical of it—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: If we go on for a minute or two longer, it is all going to be his idea in the first place. That is what usually happens.

Dr McFetridge: It was Western Australia.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: It was Western Australia. The reform has been received enormously well. I believe that all our people have written to people in their electorates to advise them of the travel and the terms, and to make sure it is used by as many as possible. The reform came about as a result of the fact that there were many elderly in the community who have suffered disproportionately from the effects of the global financial crisis, the drop in the stock market, and the drop in interest rates. While many of us young people benefit from a drop in interest rates, it is not a good thing, necessarily, for those who are elderly in the community.

So, we found a way of giving free travel, to make better use of our infrastructure as well, and we found a way of doing it for those who we think are most likely to benefit properly from it. We believe that that was the best. If you believe there is a different scheme, we would like to hear what it is. Apparently it is the—

An honourable member: Does anyone miss out?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Does anyone miss out? Yes, the people who do not have a Seniors Card miss out. Why do people have a Seniors Card? Because they are considered the people appropriate to have a Seniors Card. One of the things that will disqualify you from having a Seniors Card, for example, is not being old enough.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson: Where there is more than 20 hours work a week involved.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Or working more than 20 hours. We think it is a very good standard, and it has worked out in conjunction. But, if you want to criticise us now for buildings in schools, yes; if you want to criticise us for giving free travel to the elderly, yes. You may be worried about us wasting money. Maybe that is what it is. You do not want us to waste money on the elderly. But, let me say this: I think there is a terrible waste of money in this place. It is moving those nameplates all the bloody time! Please do not move them for this reshuffle, because who knows what will be next week. Please don't put permanent nameplates; I recommend sticky paper.

Mr PENGILLY: Point of order. I believe that the minister is debating.

The SPEAKER: Yes; perhaps the minister has strayed into debate, but I think he has finished his answer.

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