Tasmanian Labor Government must match Liberal Opposition Policy

The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today called on the Tasmanian Government to support the Tasmanian State Liberal policy on extending pensioner concessions to self-funded retirees.

This could save the State’s 5600 self-funded retirees an average of $600 a year on their rates, car registration and electricity charges.

The Australian Government has offered the State Government $1.4 million to provide concessions for energy, rates, water and sewerage and motor vehicle registration costs for Tasmania’s 5600 holders of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

“I have written to the new Tasmanian Premier asking him to consider this new offer. The former Premier rejected a previous offer. We have increased that offer to Tasmania by $320 000.

“Now we have the State Opposition supporting this proposal.

“I congratulate them on their policy initiative and call on the Tasmanian Labor Government to support it.

“I encourage the Government to take up this policy to reward its self funded retirees.

“Providing these discounts for our seniors is just one way we can recognise and acknowledge the contribution self-funded retirees have made.”