Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons has spoken out against a decision by the City of Gosnells to charge lease payments to the Langford and District Senior Citizens & Retired Persons organisation.

The decision threatens the viability of the social group, which meets two or three times a week at premises next to the Langford Recreation Centre.

Mr Irons, who met representatives of the group in Langford last week, said he would ask council to review its decision.

“Given the hardship faced by this group, I find it difficult to agree with the assessment made by the City of Gosnells Council” he said.

“The Langford and District Senior Citizens & Retired Persons charge only a small amount a year in membership. The group clearly can’t afford to pay the rates as proposed by the City of Gosnells”.

“The precedent set by other councils in the local area such as the City of Canning is to waive these fees”.

“I will be supporting the Langford Senior Citizens Centre and have written to the council to urge them to reconsider their position”.