The Cook Government's announcement of a $100 payment to every driver's licence holder in Western Australia has sparked a range of reactions from residents, with many questioning how far the money will go amid rising living costs.
Marketed as a cost of living relief measure intended to help with fuel expenses, the payment can actually be spent anywhere and on anything, leaving each driver to decide how to use it.
Mixed Feelings Among Residents
For Claire Fraser, a mother of three living in Baldivis, the $100 is a welcome gesture but insufficient. She said her household has already cut back on spending due to rising costs.
“It doesn’t go far enough. My tank of fuel is $100, and sometimes that’ll get me across a week and a half. With two of us, that’s just three weeks worth of fuel support,” Ms Fraser said. “As much as it’s nice, I think it could have been better thought out.”
In Perth’s CBD, reactions were mixed. Some, like Selina Sibosado, plan to use the money for fuel as intended. “I’m quite involved in my church, driving people to and from places for the minister, so I am very grateful for that. Any help always helps,” she said.
Marra Thorne said the funds would go towards a full tank for her new car. “I just bought a new car, so it will be a tank of fuel for me. I am thankful that they are offering this sort of thing.”
However, others were less convinced. Marg Sloane said, “I’m not too sure if $100 will buy much fuel these days. It will go to other things, expenses, stuff like that.”
Different Spending Plans
Some residents said they would use the money for essentials other than fuel. Jake Trindell, who has a fuel voucher from work, said he would spend it elsewhere. “Not necessarily worried about direct inflation from everyone being $100 richer, but we’ll end up paying for it one way or another. We just have to think about that sort of thing before we go claiming free money.”
Olivia Harris said she would use the extra funds for bills. “I definitely won’t be spending it on fuel. I factor fuel into my weekly expenses, but an additional $100 will be going to things like my car repayments or something.”
Others were caught off guard by the announcement. Katrina Malecdan said, “Oh, I had no clue about this. How were we supposed to find out about this? I’m going to spend it on essentials probably. I’ve been trying not to drive much recently, so I don’t really need the money for fuel.”
But some were just thankful for the extra cash. James O’Neil said, “I say good bloody on ya (Treasurer Rita Saffioti). It’s a good thing, money is money.”
Criticism from Advocacy Groups
Advocacy groups had been calling for targeted cost of living relief to help those most in need. The blanket $100 payment did not impress WA Council of Social Service chief executive Louise Giolitto, who called for more targeted relief.
“We are calling on this Government to uplift the food and emergency relief providers by $20 million. It’s not a great deal of money, and we didn’t see that in today’s budget. We did see $100 going to every single person who holds a West Australian licence. That could have inflationary pressures, and it’s not going to those who are most in need,” she said.
Ms Giolitto noted the unequal impact: “A single parent with three children is going to get $100, another household with two parents is going to get $200 that has two incomes coming into the household. It’s not fair, and it’s not targeted.”
