With Western Australia experiencing the highest level of inflation in the country, people across WA are doing it tough.

Rising expenses for groceries, utilities, healthcare, and housing have left many struggling to make ends meet.

Seniors on fixed incomes — whether they are self-funded or on a full pension — usually have very limited capacity to absorb increases to their household budget, and to increase their weekly incomes to compete with inflationary pressures.

There are an estimated 368,000 Western Australians currently eligible to receive the Seniors Cost of Living Rebate, an initiative aimed at relieving some of these pressures.

The current rebate — while providing some relief — is capped at $107.12 for individuals and $160.68 for couples.

Seniors are known to struggle with insurance costs, electricity bills, and transport costs, with many foregoing air conditioning in summer, letting long-term policies lapse, and opting to stay home to diminish costs.

Older Western Australians should not be forced to make difficult choices due to age-related restrictions and rising costs of living.

The WA Liberals understand that seniors should be able to enjoy their retirement without the burden of financial stress.

When older Western Australians struggle with the cumulative burden of high living costs, the wider community also feels the impact.

Western Australians need a practical, responsible, and focused response to the current cost-of-living crisis that ensures stability and support for everyone.

Only a WA Liberal Government will deliver it.

The WA Liberals believe older Western Australians are an integral part of our community and deserve recognition and support for their lifelong contributions to our state.

While the current Seniors Cost of Living Rebate provides some relief, it no longer adequately addresses the rising pressures many seniors face.

To better support them, we are committed to doubling this rebate, ensuring it reflects the reality of increasing living costs.

Many seniors are experiencing heightened stress and uncertainty as they navigate mounting expenses at a time when they should be enjoying the rewards of a long career or years of caring for others.

These challenges are even more pronounced in regional areas, where limited competition and additional costs to access goods and services create further strain.

Ensuring Western Australian seniors can access the care and support they need, no matter where they live, has never been more crucial.

Doubling the rebate is a meaningful step towards helping seniors enjoy their later years with dignity and peace of mind.

A WA Liberal Government will raise the Seniors Cost of Living Rebate to $214.25 for singles and $321.36 for couples in 2025-26, to combat rising inflation and diminished buying power.

This support will be available to all Western Australian residents holding a WA Seniors Card.

By increasing these payments, seniors will be better equipped to manage rising costs for essentials such as rent, food, and their physical and mental well-being.

Western Australian seniors deserve a government that prioritises their ability to maintain a secure and dignified lifestyle, even during challenging economic times.

Only the WA Liberal Party is committed to delivering meaningful, practical cost-of-living relief that protects the most vulnerable in our community, ensuring no one is left behind.