Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader/Spokesperson role
2 March 2012

Don’t Tamper with Supergold Card Warns Peters

New Zealand First has warned the government not to make any Budget cuts to the SuperGold Card transport concessions for senior citizens.

This follows the Ministry of Transport telling a parliamentary transport committee that the initial funding for the travel scheme was set at $18m in 2008 but the increased level of patronage now costs about $22 million.

Rt Hon Winston Peters says the government must meet the costs of the scheme.

“Senior citizens have been hit with big increases in costs imposed by the government with higher power costs and a steep rise in the cost of living caused by higher GST.

“They are paying hundreds of millions of dollars more to the government every year so it’s only right they should get a free bus or train ride now and again.”

Mr Peters says the concession scheme should be extended rather than cut back and he will be putting forward a suggested power discount scheme to the government before the Budget.

“The power cartel is pushing prices up again this year to prepare for privatisation so we have to protect the elderly,” says Mr Peters.
ENDS

© Scoop Media