Dear Ms Saffin

I write to you to enquire about the future of the NSW Regional Seniors Travel Card. I do not believe there was any announcement of the decision to suspend this Seniors benefit, although confirmed on the Services NSW website. 

I and others in Lismore have greatly appreciated the travel benefits provided by this card and the initiative of the previous Coalition Government. It is disappointing to see one of the first acts of the Labor Government is to hit Seniors hard when cost of living is increasing exponentially, and with many Lismore Seniors still trying to recover from last year’s floods.

As you know we have limited transport in Lismore and often a car is the only way for Seniors to get to medical appointments and pharmacies be it in Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Grafton, Tweed Heads and Brisbane. Not to mention getting to senior health and wellbeing activities as suggested by NSW Health and the Minister for Seniors. The cost of fuel and even the cost to recharge an electric vehicle is an ever increasing cost in NSW, and as Seniors on fixed incomes it is a cost that is causing considerable stress as we juggle our limited dollars to weigh up what must be forfeited to balance the budget. Is it food items that we must do without? Maybe heating or road trips to visit specialist health workers.

The Lismore App recently published an article about NSW Seniors Card partnering with United Fuels for 4cents discount per litre off fuel for Seniors. That sounds great but most Seniors are already getting 4cents per litre or more discount from any number of loyalty programs run by retailers and service providers. As Seniors we would be stupid if we are not already taking advantage of the many “shopper dockets” on offer. Whilst the United Fuels service station in Lismore remains closed due to flood damage and not likely to reopen any time soon, the closest United Petroleum outlet for me and other Senior residents of Lismore is at Casino, a trip that would more than erode any discount.

You should also know that when I applied for my Senior’s discount on the United Petroleum website it did not even ask for my NSW Seniors Card membership details, so really it looks like anyone of any age could (albeit allegedly fraudulent) obtain the same discount just by entering their name, email and postcode.

Ms Saffin, you need to know that your Government suspending/scrapping/removing the Regional Seniors Travel Card is the talk of Seniors in the Lismore area and the disappointment will only grow as more seniors try to re-apply and find that their benefit has been withdrawn by the Labor Government.

I am really hoping the benefit has only been temporarily suspended while your Government analyses the disappointment amongst Regional Seniors and not a scrapping of the benefit entirely and replaced by yet another fuel offer available to everyone, not just Seniors. I ask as my Member of parliament that you represent me and other seniors of Lismore in pursuing the return of the card as soon as possible please.

I would appreciate your reply please as to where you believe this matter currently stands with the Premier, Cabinet and the NSW Labor Government, and your intentions and/or pursuits regarding representation on behalf of the Seniors in your electorate.