The release by The Greens of a comprehensive policy for older Australians puts the two major parties on notice to tell us how they will support seniors if they are elected this weekend.
Chief Executive of COTA Australia, Ian Yates, said time is running out for Labor and the Coalition to tell voters what new policies and measures they will introduce to improve the lives of older Australians.
“We commend The Greens for focusing on the specific needs of older Australians today,” Mr Yates said.
“We welcome their measures which seek to improve the living standards, rights, employment, aged care and housing for older people.
“Many of the measures contained in the Greens policy stack up to what COTA has called for in our election platform “A New Deal for Older Australians” – which are necessary to support and plan for the growing population of people over 50.
“In stark contrast the two major parties have so far all but ignored most of these critical issues, despite older people making up almost half the voting public.”
Mr Yates said COTA Australia will be releasing an election scorecard to inform Australia’s seniors on policies which may effect them this election.
“With only three days left to go to the polling booths it currently looks the COTA election scorecard will be disappointingly filled with question marks from the major parties.
“Last election both major parties released reasonably extensive policies with detailed plans for seniors which ensured older Australia’s had a clear idea on where they stood on age discrimination, the pension and the provision of health and aged care.
“It is difficult to understand why three years later seniors have so far been largely ignored.
“We can only hope there are still plans for Labor and the Coalition to follow suit and release their plans in the next two days.”
The COTA Election Statement can be found at www.cota.org.au.
Media contact: Ian Yates 0418 835 439, Jane Garcia 0434 489 533