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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Tuesday, 3 August 2004) . . Page.. 3349 ..

MR STANHOPE (Chief Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for Environment and Minister for Community Affairs) (4.05): I am pleased that this matter of public importance is being debated today. I have great pleasure in being able to speak about the achievements of this Labor government since it came to office in caring for Canberra’s ageing population. It is something that this government has taken seriously. Referring to the achievements of my government in caring for the ageing population exposes the inertia created by the former Liberal government in caring for Canberra’s ageing population.

The issues surrounding an ageing population did not emerge this week, last month, or last year for that matter. For those who have been genuinely concerned about the wellbeing of our seniors they have been on our radar for some time. In the lead-up to the last election we outlined in our policy statement, “The Plan for Older Canberrans”, that the implications of an ageing population for all levels of government and the broader community were huge. We highlighted the fact that people in most areas of Canberra would age significantly over the next decade and that population data showed that people in the ACT were ageing faster than those in any other part of Australia.

We stated that this increase in the age profile meant that the government needed to look at providing different services, and more of them, to older Canberrans. We have set about doing that. We also indicated that, over the next 10 years, the number of people in the 50 to 64 age group would increase to more than 63,000—a significant proportion of the population. Given that the life expectancy for males in the ACT is 77 and for females 82, the group of people aged over 50 will be around for a long time.

We drew attention to the fact that the age profile would be compounded by the so-called baby boomer generation—those people born between 1946 and 1961—who are expected to have greater demands for services and facilities than their predecessors. When the baby boomers reach retirement age they will be the largest number of older people ever alive. They are also a group that has traditionally challenged ideas about society and they have assets and money and are generally healthy.

We highlighted the need to put the right framework and strategies in place to plan for the changing demographics. Moreover, we are committed to creating an inclusive community in which older people feel safe and valued and in which adequate services are available for all their needs. I would like to speak about the key strategic and proactive approach this government has developed and the initiatives that it is implementing to respond to the dramatic changes that will take place in Canberra’s population landscape.

The impact of an ageing population in the broader community was confirmed through the market research we undertook as part of the development of the Canberra social plan. That plan is an expression of the government’s vision that Canberra becomes a place in which all people reached their potential, make a contribution and share the benefits of our community. It is a plan for all Canberrans, including older Canberrans. While there is a heavy emphasis in the plan on looking after our children and young people the needs of older Canberrans are most prominent.

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