17 Mar 2010

PM gives assurance on SuperGold Card entitlements

2:44 pm on 17 March 2010

Prime Minister John Key is assuring SuperGold Card users there will be no change to their travel entitlements.

The benefits of the discount card for senior citizens include some free travel on off-peak public transport.

The Labour Party says the government's handling of the SuperGold Card issue has been a shambles.

Its deputy leader Annette King claims Transport Minister Steven Joyce was last week told to back away from the original statement he put out on the review, after concerns were raised it could mean cuts to services.

On Wednesday, Mr Joyce said his first statement on the review was imprecise, and the meaning was lost in translation.

He says the Government never had any intention of altering the services available to SuperGold Card users.

Mr Key also says their entitlements will not change.