United Fuel and the WA Government's Commitment to Cost of Living Relief

United Fuel Initiatives to Alleviate Costs

Roger Cook has vowed to continue providing cost of living relief, despite concerns the measures are not reaching enough West Australians. Speaking on ABC radio on Tuesday, Mr Cook defended his government’s spending on relief for families — including free tickets to Perth Zoo and Rottnest Island. The comments came as the Government announced another program - discounts for senior card holders of four cents off a litre at United Petrol stations. Under the new scheme, senior card holders can apply for a card or register online for the discount, which Seniors Minister Don Punch said would save pensioners up to $70 a year. Mr Cook said the Government was continuing to look at relief measures.

Continued Government Support

“We’re focused on making sure we provide genuine cost of living relief and you know, my government is a cost of living busting government,” the Premier said. “People tell me day in day out, that this is the one issue which occupies their minds and makes them most anxious. We are going to continue to look across the whole range of government activities and see how we can continue to make sure that we provide cost of living relief.”

Broad Range of Relief Programs

The vow comes after a wave of programs aimed at reducing the cost burden for families including the Student Assistance Payment, free public transport for students and on Sundays, and the $700 power bill relief. Mr Cook refused to be drawn on calls for more relief from basic costs - such as car registration fees, and water bills.

Challenges and Criticisms

The Government has drawn criticism for some measures, such as the free Perth Zoo tickets - which the Premier said had now been claimed by more than 53,000 families. “It’s not just (claimed by) people living near the zoo, it’s people from as far away as Kununurra, Esperance and right across the suburbs of Perth,” he said. “Everyone’s really looking towards those opportunities because it means that they can provide an opportunity for their kids to have that experience. It’s savings that they make and therefore can afford other more essential items, such as food, power costs, water costs and so on.”