Page 1056 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 March 1990
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date, which was 1 April. Obviously we could not produce a report by 1 April. If there is a need to create a date, we could do so.
MR SPEAKER: Order! Standing order 218 refers to select committees and not standing committees. Therefore, there is no requirement for Dr Kinloch to set a date.
NEEDS OF THE AGEING - SOCIAL POLICY STANDING COMMITTEE
Report
Debate resumed from 22 March 1990, on motion by Mr Wood:
That the recommendations be agreed to.
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (10.35): I welcome the opportunity to comment on the Standing Committee on Social Policy's report, "Needs of the Ageing Inquiry". I think it is a significant report. Of course, this reference did attract a degree of bipartisan support when it was first put up in the Assembly. The committee has been chaired by my colleague, Mr Bill Wood. I think that everybody in the Assembly would agree that the report that has been produced reflects his experience and expertise in these matters.
The report itself has certainly made a very useful contribution to our understanding of the demographics of ageing in the ACT and to the needs of ageing people and the current range of services that are provided. One of the most important aspects of the report is its definition of the ageing, which distinguishes very carefully between the ageing and the frail aged. The ageing is a much larger group and the report makes the point that the majority of people who could be classified as ageing never need specific services or accommodation for the ageing and never lose the ability to lead active and satisfying lives. I think that it is very important that we do not just dump together the needs of frail aged people, or people who may be very ill, and the needs of people who are simply maturing.
One aspect of the definition that I think could have been made more of in the report is the fact that ageing is very much a women's issue. I do not believe that the report has drawn that out quite adequately.
Mr Kaine: Do not men age?
MS FOLLETT: It is a fact that women do live longer. Mr Speaker, the Chief Minister comments that men age also. I think we have got living proof of that in front of us.
Mrs Grassby: Right in front of us. You asked for it.
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