This Budget was a mixed bag of positive and welcome initiatives and missed opportunities. In our response on budget night, we welcomed many good initiatives that will support older people manage the cost of living crisis including the $300 energy rebate for every household, a 5-year freeze to the cost of PBS medicines for pensioners and concession card holders and a continuation of the freeze on deeming rates.
In this policy alert, we analyse the 2024 Federal Budget announcements across key policy areas affecting older people including housing, health, retirement incomes, aged care, mature employment, digital and the 2024/25 Women’s Budget Statement.
There remain areas where more work needs to be done and where COTA Australia will continue its advocacy, like the new rights-based Aged Care Act and a Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme, to make sure older people are getting the support they need when they need it.
We will also be continuing to raise the spectre of ageism which impacts so many aspects of our lives and in policy setting. Making sure that the Government understands the role it can play and getting them to act will remain a key focus of COTA Australia’s advocacy.
Note: An earlier version of the Policy Alert inaccurately stated billions, not the correct amount of $121.3 million over four years to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service and expand Healthdirect Australia to expand services (particularly to remote communities).
