SCULLY CALLS FOR COST OF LIVING PILOT TO BE EXPANDED TO WARRAWONG

19 July 2018

Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully has asked that the Berejiklian Government expand its cost of living initiative to Warrawong’s Service NSW Centre.

The 2018-19 NSW Budget announced that Service NSW would undertake a pilot at five locations across New South Wales to implement the findings of a survey that 58% of people indicate they were not aware of cost of living refunds and that 80% would like help with cost of living.

The survey found that 92% of people would like any cost of living assistance provided through Service NSW Centres.

Since it was first established on 27 November 2015, the Warrawong Service NSW Centre has seen 333,577 customers – the highest number of customers serviced by any Service NSW Centre in the Illawarra.

The Warrawong Service NSW Centre’s population catchment includes, Warrawong, Berkeley, Cringila, Lake Heights and Port Kembla – some of the most disadvantaged suburbs in the Wollongong local government area.

Recent statistics released on the Active Kids Rebate show that the Wollongong electorate had about half the take-up of neighbouring electorates and less than half the motorists in the electorate eligible for a CTP refund have claimed it.

Recently the Federal Government has also announced that the Warrawong Centrelink Office will close down.

Federal Member for Cunningham, Sharon Bird has spearheaded a community campaign and launched a petition aimed at forcing the Federal Government to reverse its decision.

Comments attributable to Paul Scully MP:

“The Berejiklian Government is contributing to cost of living pressures putting household budgets under significant pressure.

“The price for everything is going up and up, including energy prices, which have increased by 60% since the Liberal-Nationals have been in office since March 2011, and 20% while Gladys Berejiklian has been the Premier.

“I’m calling on the Minister for Finance, Services and Property, Victor Dominello to expand the cost of living relief initiative announced in the June Budget to include Warrawong Service NSW Centre as soon as possible.”