• Western Australia’s growing senior population deserves a government that respects their contributions and prioritises their wellbeing.

• A Mettam Liberal Government is dedicated to delivering real, practical policies that support older Western Australians.

• Our plan will ensure WA Seniors receive the support and recognition they deserve for their contributions to our state.

Western Australia’s growing senior population deserves a government that respects their contributions and prioritises their wellbeing.

Seniors have built our communities, raised families, and contributed to our economy, and it is only fair that they are supported with policies that provide security, dignity, and opportunity.

However, under WA Labor rising costs, inadequate support services, and neglect of crucial reforms have left many older Western Australians struggling.

They have failed to invest in the services seniors rely on, from long wait times for healthcare, to a lack of affordable housing, to poor aged care services.

The WA Liberal Party is committed to delivering meaningful policies that reduce cost-of-living pressures, improve access to essential services, and ensure older Western Australians can live with dignity and independence.

1. Cost of Living Relief for Seniors

A Mettam Liberal Government will double the Seniors Cost of Living Rebate, ensuring seniors on fixed incomes receive additional financial relief to cover essential expenses. We will increase the rebate to $214.25 for singles and $321.36 for couples.

We will also increase funding for financial counselling services contracted by the Department of Communities to support seniors in navigating financial stress by providing a 25 per cent funding uplift - $2.55 million per annum – for two years.

2. Energy Relief for Seniors

Electricity costs have become an increasing burden on Western Australian seniors, forcing many to make difficult choices between essential services such as heating, cooling, and other daily necessities.

WA Labor doubled the daily supply in their first budget, from 48.6 cents to 94.9 cents and have since increased it to 113.22 cents per day, adding unnecessary pressure to household budgets.

This hike in electricity costs has hit seniors especially hard, many of whom live on fixed incomes and are struggling to keep up with rising living expenses.

A Mettam Liberal Government will reverse Labor’s electricity tax by saving Western Australians $676 over our first term of government.

3. Housing Security for Seniors

To support seniors looking to transition to more suitable housing, a Mettam Liberal Government will introduce a Downsizing Incentive Rebate, refunding up to $20,000 in transfer duty for eligible individuals and couples over the age of 60.

This initiative will allow seniors to move into smaller, more accessible homes without financial penalty, freeing up larger houses for growing families and alleviating pressure on the housing market.

Our Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund will also unlock 100,000 new homes, putting downward pressure on prices and improving housing affordability.

4. Health and Aged Care

The WA Liberals will create 500 additional transitional care beds, reducing hospital congestion and ensuring older patients receive the appropriate care they need in a more appropriate setting than a hospital.

We will also expand Hospital in the Home services, allowing more seniors to receive hospital-level care in their own homes.

With mental health a growing concern amongst seniors, we will invest $40m to improve mental health services, including suicide prevention initiatives for high-risk groups, including men over 85, who have the highest suicide rate in Australia.

With dental care often overlooked in aged, poor oral health can lead to serious medical complications, which is why we will expand mobile dental services to provide dental van services for residents living in regional and remote areas.

5. Protecting seniors from abuse and exploitation

Elder abuse remains a significant issue, but WA Labor has failed to act on long-overdue law reforms.

A Mettam Liberal Government will prioritise these reforms, implementing stronger safeguards for Powers of Attorney and Guardianship to prevent misuse and protect vulnerable seniors from financial abuse and neglect.

We will also establish a dedicated Elder Protection Unit within the Department of Communities, we will provide specialised training for law enforcement and social services to identify, report, and prevent abuse.

6. Keeping Seniors Active and Engaged

The benefits of seniors remaining active, healthy and socially connected cannot be underestimated.

That is why a Mettam Liberal Government will reinstate the successful SilverSport program, through a two-year statewide trial for 6,000 eligible seniors, who will receive up to $250 annually to help cover the costs of fees, uniforms, and equipment for approved sport, fitness and recreation activities.

7. Support for Grandcarers

Grandcarers play an irreplaceable role in raising their grandchildren when parents are unable to do so, ensuring these children have a stable, loving, and safe home while preserving important family bonds, rather than allowing their grandkids to go into foster care.

A Mettam Liberal Government will triple the Grandcarers Support Scheme annual payment to $3,000 per eligible grandchild in their full-time care. This increase will provide much-needed financial relief, helping grandcarers cover essential expenses such as school fees, clothing, healthcare, and everyday living costs

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO LIBBY METTAM

Seniors have built our communities, raised families, and contributed to our economy, so it is only fair they are supported with policies that provide security, dignity, and opportunity.

But under the Cook Labor Government, rising costs, inadequate support services, and neglect of crucial reforms have left many older Western Australians struggling.

A Government I lead is committed to delivering meaningful policies that reduce cost-of-living pressures, improve access to essential services, and ensure older Western Australians can live with dignity and independence.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO DONNA FARAGHER

The WA Liberals are committed to recognising the role seniors have played, and continue to play, in making our state what it is today.

With day-to-day expenses continuing to increase, many seniors are often disproportionally impacted and are having to make difficult decisions around essential services and what they can and cannot afford.

Our policies are carefully and directly targeted at helping ease the burden on West Australian seniors.