Tuesday, 28 October 2025

 Jade BENHAM (Mildura) (14:52): My constituency question today is for the Minister for Local Government, and it comes from the Yarriambiack Shire Council and a ratepayer that contacted them. Why is the pensioner rebate on rates notices not also increased accordingly like taxes and charges on his rates notice? This concerned ratepayer noted that the pensioner rebate, which is capped at $266 annually, has not been adjusted accordingly to match the rising cost of living. He was particularly concerned about the rise in his emergency services tax, and along with other charges, taxes and increases his rates notice had gone up by around $200. He expressed concern that this increase significantly exceeded the corresponding pensioner adjustment and further noted that the emergency services rebate remained unchanged at $50, despite an 18.2 per cent increase in his overall charges. So we ask the minister: why is the pensioner rebate not increased?