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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 08 Hansard (Tuesday, 3 August 2004) . . Page.. 3361 ..

a pension; who, for example, might have $300,000 stashed away in a super scheme; and who might have—in about 1989 or something—got 15 per cent and $45,000 a year, but now, with 5 per cent, would be getting about $15,000 a year or $300 a week. They are hardly well off. They have provided, with their thrift and hard work, for their old age. They do not have the benefit of a CSS scheme, a judges’ scheme or some of the pension schemes—but not in this place—around other parliaments.

Mrs Dunne: Gee, if only we had that pension scheme, we’d be laughing.

MR STEFANIAK: Exactly. Effectively we here are self-funded retirees, Vicki. However, there are many people in that situation. That is what Mr Cornwell is talking about: people who might be getting only $300 or $400, despite the thrift—and I have met many self-funded retirees.

I was at a very interesting meeting not all that long ago at the golf club at West Belconnen. They had a perfectly sensible development of holes 19 to 27 for about 247 or 249 accommodation units for elderly people. This was a very sensible development in terms even of getting transport for those people so they could have some mobility, could move about. It was a well thought out scheme that was knocked on the head by this government.

It amazed me to hear some of the figures. There are currently about 7,500 people over 65 in Belconnen; by 2010 there will be 15,000. At present 12 per cent of the ACT population is aged 65 or over. In 2025 it will be 25 per cent.

In the last few weeks this government, after 2¾ years, finally acted in relation to accommodation for older Canberrans. Whilst they are absolutely pooh-poohing the idea that this was because of an election, I do not think that washes with the public. Two and three quarter years—they had ample opportunity to assist elderly people in our community into appropriate accommodation. When they have had the opportunity they have pooh-poohed it and knocked it on the head. They have raised all sorts of spurious—idiotic at times—excuses for not doing anything and they have not proceeded.

That is a real concern. It is burying your head in the sand. We will all get older; we are an ageing population. The birth rate is not as high as it was 20 or 30 years ago. There will be a significant increase in the number of aged persons. It is absolutely crucial that any government take steps to ensure that there is a regular and steady flow of beds and suitable accommodation for aged persons.

It is only fair. These people have been the backbone of this country. They have been the backbone of the territory. The elderly people we are now talking about, in many instances, went through the Depression as young people. They fought for this country in World War II and in the Korean War. Indeed, as we are getting older, many fought in the Vietnam War.

They have served their country well: they have worked hard; they have raised families; and they have been good, useful, productive members of society. If we have social justice, if we have any sense of decency, we will say, “These people really do deserve their government and the territory to look after them and do the best they can.” Our elderly citizens have contributed so much in so many ways.

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