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COTA Australia Chief Executive Officer Patricia Sparrow said the upcoming Federal Budget must resist the temptation to frame fairness as a choice between younger and older Australians.
The Federal Government’s latest investment in aged care is a welcome step towards delivering the system older Australians and their families deserve, COTA Australia says.
While today’s reported $1 billion budget commitment on showering, dressing and continence management is a very important change that will make a real difference to the lives of older people, there’s still more to do in aged care.
Council on the Ageing Australia (COTA) has welcomed today’s announcement that the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Arexvy will be made free through the National Immunisation Program for Australians aged 75 and over and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over, from 15 May.
Older Australians need to see fairer credit rules for retirees, the introduction of a Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme and greater support for people in aged care – all underpinned by a clear national plan for an ageing population, according to COTA Australia’s pre-Budget submission.
The Reserve Bank has announced surcharges will be abolished within six months. It will also reduce the cap on credit card interchange fees paid by merchants to banks from 0.8 per cent to 0.3 per cent of the transaction value.
COTA Australia has welcomed the latest increase to the Age Pension, saying it will provide some relief for older Australians facing ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
COTA Australia Chief Executive, Patricia Sparrow, said addressing the shockingly high number of older Australians experiencing abuse – often at the hands of someone they trust – must be a national priority.
The Federal Government’s announcement that it will invest $115 million into areas with the worst shortages of residential aged care beds is a welcome step.
COTA Australia welcomes the release of the Federal Government’s Retirement Reporting Framework and Best Practice guidance, which recognises that retirement is not one-size-fits-all and that Australians move into and through retirement in different ways.
The Federal Government’s announcement today that around 2.5 million Age Pensioners will see an increase to their pension payments from 20 March, will come as important relief at a time of continued cost-of-living pressure, COTA Australia says.
COTA Australia welcomes the announcement of the Coalition’s new Shadow Ministry and says improving the lives of older Australians must remain a priority across all portfolios – from aged care and health to housing, the economy and women’s policy.