The Hon. Richie Williamson, Nationals MP for Clarence (NSW), Media Release, 21 August 2023

The abolition of the popular $250 travel card for seniors living in regional areas at the same time as the Labor Government is lavishing Gold Opal Cards on Sydney seniors is unforgiveable, Clarence Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson says.

Mr Williamson said the newly elected Labor Government claims its 4 cents per litre shop-a-docket, which can only be used at United servos, is the same thing as the $250 Regional Seniors Travel card introduced by NSW Nationals during its last term in government. It is not.

“Imagine an elderly couple in Coraki or Glenreagh wanting to go for a day by the seaside at Evans Head or Wooli,” Mr Williamson said.

“They could have used the travel card to fill up at their local servo, but with Labor’s shop-a-docket they would have to drive the opposite direction to Casino or Grafton to claim the miserly 4 cent per litre discount as the only United servos in my patch are in the two major towns. It would actually cost them more!”

Mr Williamson said in order to match the fuel savings of the travel card seniors would have to buy 6250 litres of petrol in 12 months at a cost of about $12,000 every year to get the equivalent of a $250 saving.

“The rip-off is all the more galling as the Labor Government is currently advertising huge discounts for Sydney seniors,” Mr Williamson said. 

The NSW Government website promises Sydneysiders “Unlimited travel for $2.50 a day – get around as much as you want on metro, trains, buses, ferries and light rail in Sydney, and Newcastle.” (source: www.nsw.gov.au/community-services/seniors-card/deals-discounts/gold-opal)

Mr Williamson said analysis showed just how much worse off senior motorists in regional NSW have become under Labor.

“Local seniors in my electorate have made it very clear how much they appreciate the extra bit of help they get with the travel card by completing my recent survey, calling and e-mailing my office and signing the Petition the NSW Nationals have launched to try and save the card from the chopping block,” Mr Williamson said.

If you haven’t already signed the Petition, it’s not too late. You can do so here – https://www.nswnationals.org.au/save-the-travel-card/