NSW Minister for Seniors has hurried to reassure no deal has been done, after the controversial pausing of the Regional Seniors travel card was followed by the public support of a seniors loyalty program offered by United Petroleum. 

Last month the Regional Seniors Travel Card program was paused, no longer accepting new applications, after the government deemed it fell into a funding hole, and could be spent on non-travel related expenses. 

A month later, Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison publicly promoted the discount on fuel for holders of the NSW Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card. 

Allegations that the travel card was axed in favour of a deal with the petroleum company were swift to follow. 



“This new scheme hugely disadvantages seniors in my electorate who can’t drive and count on that money to pay for other ways to get around or for their carer’s petrol cost,” Independent Member for Kiama Gareth Ward said. 

Minister Harrison has refuted the claim that the promotion of the discount was in any kind of partnership or scheme with the government. 

“Allegations that the Regional Seniors Travel Card has been replaced by a direct deal with a private operator are intentionally misleading,” Minister Harrison said. 

“Reasonable people would agree raising awareness and celebrating the savings available under the NSW Seniors Card falls within my remit as Minister for Seniors, without interpreting it as a hidden budget announcement,” she continued. 

The pause on the Regional Seniors Travel Card was a result of a reported $7 billion black hole of unfunded programs that the current Labor government claims to have inherited from the former government.

The pause has meant that while no other seniors can have their applications processed, those who already hold cards can continue using them. 

In response, the NSW Nationals launched a petition to save the card before the program is completely scrapped. 

The Regional Seniors Travel Card provides $250 to seniors to spend on petrol, taxis or public transport. 

Within her promotion, Minister Harrison also made mention of other companies offering significant discounts and promotions to seniors.