The call comes as the CWA NSW readies to host its 96th annual conference where motions on community issues are pitched. 

Wagga evening branch member Julie Morrison said the move was prompted after her personal experiences with the difficult process of claiming rebates.

“I broke my finger on my 70^th birthday and had to have surgery and when I went to pay it I couldn’t get the private or the Medicare rebate on the spot,” she said. 

“You had to manually go and get the rebate which means long waiting times, or you need to wait a few days if you submit the form.”

The delay in getting the rebate, which can sometimes be a large sum of money Mrs Morrison said, poses a problem for “young families struggling and anyone with a low income”, such as pensioners. 

Mrs Morrison is confident in the CWA’s ability to facilitate change and see the proposal legislated.

“CWA NSW has great rapport with the government, both state and federal as well as the local members,” she said. 

Motions include the need for urgent assistance for communities affected by flying fox populations; support for the proposed review and assessment of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan; the need for legal culling of feral deer; and encouragement for all retailers to use containers and bags made from non-plastic materials.

The Wagga branch will support the motion regarding the Murray-Darling Basin Plan due to its impacts on Riverina community members. 

The conference is being held at the New England Girls’ School, Armidale from April 30 to May 4.