Page 1067 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 March 1990
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Week. The ageing and their carers will have the opportunity to give their views directly on issues and services which affect their lives. In the past we have lacked a clear picture of how the ageing themselves perceive their needs. During the inquiry into the needs of the ageing, we found it difficult to contact people living independently. It was very difficult to find out what their needs were. With a phone-in, if these people contact us we will be able to find out what their needs are and we can improve services to help them.
The blueprint is a reasonable and responsible approach to the policies and services for the ageing; no empty promises, but a long-term framework with links to the budget cycle. For example, we will be examining how we might improve life for those most in need, particularly the ageing, by our review of concessions. Ms Follett spoke about the concessions and the review of concessions. The review has begun and we will be announcing some concessions hopefully in this budget coming up. We are a responsible government and we will be looking at them in the light of whether we can afford these concessions and how much they are going to cost us, and also in the light of the Priorities Review Board that is going around. Through the review of concessions the Alliance Government will achieve a more equitable approach to reducing the financial burden on low income earners, many of whom are elderly.
The blueprint takes a broad long-term view of the needs of the ageing, not just the frail and dependent ageing but also those who are reasonably independent and able to care for themselves with minimal support services. The Alliance Government believes that the ageing should be encouraged to continue to remain independent for as long as possible.
We recognise that social isolation is a multifaceted problem which besets the ageing. Our blueprint policy includes measures to improve the quality of life for those ageing, through long-term planning for better access to community, educational, cultural (Extension of time granted) and recreational facilities. The ageing have a right to continue to participate in community life and maintain their sense of dignity and worth.
Another issue that the Leader of the Opposition brought up was that we did not take ethnic groups into consideration. Well, our policy on the ageing does state that it is about the needs of older people, taking into account the needs of ageing women, Aboriginal people and people of non-English-speaking backgrounds. There is also a provision to assist people with disabilities who are ageing. I think that the Government does take on board a broad cross-section of services for the ageing and we will be improving on these as time goes by.
DR KINLOCH (11.15): I ask leave to speak because I was a member of the original committee.
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