Aged pensioners to Receive $500 Government Funded Fuel Cards

THOUSANDS of aged pensioners should receive $500 government funded fuel cards by Christmas in an Australian first, as Nationals leader Brendon Grylls begins implementing his vote-winning Royalties for Regions program in Western Australia.

Just two weeks after gaining office with the Liberals, Mr Grylls said the $20million plan was on track to be delivered by the new Government in its first 100 days.

Up to 40,000 aged pensioners in regional Western Australia will benefit from the cards, which provide free fuel for vehicles owned by aged pensioners or their designated drivers.

The scheme has been welcomed by Australia's largest seniors organisation as a clever concept that will have national implications.

In other Australian Health and Disability News

Disability advocate Dr Paul Collier says the South Australian Government has not delivered on an election promise to table annual reports on the performance of disability services. "There are thousands and thousands of disabled people and families in the community right this minute who are really, really having problems because of the lack of services, lack of equipment, lack of accommodation and so on."

Australia released the draft strategy for consultation at the International Conference on Disability, Disadvantage and Development in the Pacific and Asia held 29 September – 1 October as part of its strategy to become the regional leader in promoting disability rights. Australia has recently ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and, in addition to a disability strategy for its aid program, is preparing a national disability policy to be released in 2009. With a longstanding program promoting Inclusive Tourism Australia could take global leadership by linking the economic engine of tourism to its aid and national disability policies.
 
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has agreed to continue investigating the possibility of splitting the responsibility for aged and disability services between the Commonwealth and the states. The plan would see the Australian Government take responsibility for all aged care programs, with the states managing disability services. Following COAG’s agreement to consult with local government, a comprehensive review of the service must also be undertaken to ensure the needs of aged care service recipients will be met and enhanced by any future reforms.

VICTORIA'S proposed abortion legislation received support as it began its journey through the Upper House. Debate on the controversial Bill, which seeks to decriminalise abortions up to 24 weeks gestation, began late this afternoon in the Legislative Council, with MPs being allowed conscience votes. After passing through the Lower House unamended last month, the Abortion Law Reform Bill was expected to receive a tough ride in the Upper House. But of the first six speakers to air their views during the debate, only one was opposed.

Coming Events:

A group of Victorian builders, known as the ‘Hot Chippies’, will ride into Parkes tomorrow - and locals are welcome to join them if they wish. The ‘Hot Chippies’ are on a massive 2600 km trip from Alexandra in Victoria to Townsville in Queensland to raise money for children with cystic fibrosis. The idea is the brainchild of Steven & Sharon Hedger, owners of a local building company. There is no cure for CF, and most individuals with cystic fibrosis die in their 20s and 30s, usually from lung failure. However, improvements in treatment are increasing and average life expectancy is now 38 years. All money raised by the Hot Chippies will be given to the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust to help find a cure for the disease. They encourage anyone who would like to sponsor a bike or make a donation to call Sharon on 0409 105 613.

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