Page 519 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 21 February 2012
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Minister for Gaming and Racing) (3.22): For the information of members I present the following paper:
ACT Older Persons Assembly 2011—Report and Government response to recommendations.
I ask leave to make a statement in relation to the paper.
Leave granted.
MS BURCH: As Minister for Ageing, I am proud to present the report on the 2011 ACT Older Persons Assembly and the government’s response to the recommendations. The Older Persons Assembly was an outcome of the 2010 Legislative Assembly resolution to hear and understand the key issues that affect the lives of older people and to encourage them to participate in policy development.
The ACT Older Persons Assembly was held on 30 September last year, on the eve of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons. It was the first of its kind for Australia and provided a unique opportunity for older Canberrans from across ACT electorates to raise issues and propose solutions for the future.
Seventy Canberrans aged 55 years and over, representing a broad cross-section of the community, were selected as delegates to participate in this historic event. On the day, delegates took part in committee hearings, where discussions focused on topics that reflected the seven themes of the ACT strategic plan for positive ageing 2010-14, “Towards an age-friendly city”. This included information and communication; health and wellbeing; respect, valuing and safety; housing and accommodation; support services; transport and mobility; and work and retirement. Delegates also discussed innovation and new ideas.
Committee hearings were held simultaneously in the morning and afternoon, with individual hearings chaired by members of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing—I again acknowledge a number of members here today—with support by staff from the Community Services Directorate.
Three key priorities were identified from each of the hearings and reported back to all delegates as motions in the Assembly chamber by the committee chairs. Delegates voted on the motions through a ballot process and presented the results as 24 recommendations for government. A government response to these recommendations has been prepared and is included in the report that I have presented today.
The messages that came from the Older Persons Assembly stressed the importance of effective communication, the need for older people to feel more valued and respected in the community, the need for employment and volunteering opportunities, and the need for community support services. I would like to present a few key recommendations and reflect on how the government is working towards addressing these.
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