The NSW Liberal/National Coalition Government was returned on 29 March 2019 for a third four-year term. During the election campaign, the NSW Government made a number of promises directly affecting the lives of older people in NSW:
- 8,300 additional frontline health workers over the next four years at a cost of $2.8 billion, including 5,000 nurses and midwives, 100 palliative care nurses, 1,060 doctors and specialists, 880 allied health workers and 1,360 support staff;
- No change to the $2.50 Pensioner Excursion fare during the Government’s third term, which ends in 2023;
- $250 Regional Seniors Transport Card debit card for petrol, trips with participating taxis, pre-booked TrainLink trains and coach services from January 2020;
- All 40 NSW railway stations not yet made wheelchair accessible, including long-suffering Unanderra station, to be made accessible by 2023;
- A 42-day limit on the length of time retirement villages can raise charges for general services after someone leaves;
- An obligation on retirement villages to sell or buy back a unit within six months of a person living in metropolitan areas and twelve months in regional NSW;
- No-interest loans of up to $14,000 to install solar and battery systems;
- From 1 July 2019, a $200 annual energy rebate for holders of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. The energy rebate for holders of the Pensioner Concession Card remains steady at $285 a year; and
- a Seniors Savers Card to anyone 60 or over, working or retired from 1 July 2019.
CPSA welcomes your comments, suggestions and feedback. Contact CPSA at voice@cpsa.org.au or on Twitter @cpsansw.
