Older Consumers: Choice, Challenges and Rights in Changing Markets
When: Thursday 28 June 2018
Time: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Where: National Press Club, Canberra
With an ageing Australian population, older people comprise an ever-increasing proportion of the consumer market. What does this mean for older consumers and for the markets they engage with?
How do we move past stereotypes to better identify and meet the needs of a dynamic, diverse group of people spanning the age range from 50 to 100? In rapidly changing markets, how do we ensure that older consumers can retain and exercise a high level of choice, navigate key challenges, avoid exploitation and protect their rights?
The 2018 COTA National Policy Forum brings together older consumers, consumer advocates, academics, regulators and sector experts to closely examine the challenges and opportunities facing older consumers in current and emerging markets; and to identify the priorities for ensuring their voices are heard in consumer policy, regulation and market practice.
View presentations and summary remarks
Speakers
- Peter Kell, Deputy Chairman, Australian Securities and Investment Commission
- Jane Caro, author, novelist, journalist, broadcaster, columnist, advertising writer and social commentator
- Dr Stephen King, Commissioner, Productivity Commission
- Roland Manderson, Deputy Director, Anglicare Australia
- Leanne Wells, Chief Executive Officer, Consumers Health Forum of Australia
- Meagan Lawson, Chief Executive Officer, COTA NSW
- Dr Michelle Bennett, Lecturer, Australian Catholic University
- Tan Nguyen, President, Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association Inc.
- Teresa Corbin, Chief Executive Officer, ACCAN
- Fiona Guthrie AM, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Counselling Australia
- Jeff Fiedler, National Development Worker, Housing for the Aged Action Group
- Lynne Gallagher, Director Advocacy, Communications, Research; Energy Consumers Australia
- Gerard Brody, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Action Law Centre
- Dr Bronwyn Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Standards Australia
- Erin Turner, Director Campaigns and Communications, CHOICE
- Jane Mussared, Chief Executive Officer, COTA SA
- Lawrie Robertson, President, Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria
- Anne Meuronen, Policy and Engagement Coordinator, COTA ACT
National Policy Forum Program
Facilitator: Peter Mares
| 9.15 – 9.30 | Welcome to country: Agnes Shea |
| Welcome from COTA Australia: Ian Yates AM | |
| 9.30 – 10.00 | Keynote address – ASIC’s vision of consumer-friendly financial markets for older Australians |
| Peter Kell, Deputy Chairman, Australian Securities and Investment Commission | |
| 10.00 – 10.30 | Keynote address – Older consumers – stereotypes, vulnerability and disruption |
| Jane Caro, author, novelist, journalist, broadcaster, columnist, advertising writer and social commentator | |
| 10.30 – 11.00 | Morning tea |
| 11.00 – 11.30 | Debate – Reformed human service markets will be a good thing for older Australians |
| Affirmative: Dr Stephen King, Commissioner, Productivity Commission | |
| Negative: Roland Manderson, Deputy Director, Anglicare Australia | |
| 11.30 – 12.15 | Panel – Choice and control for older consumers in health, aged care and human services markets |
| Leanne Wells, Chief Executive Officer, Consumers Health Forum of Australia | |
| Meagan Lawson, Chief Executive Officer, COTA NSW | |
| Dr Michelle Bennett, Lecturer, Australian Catholic University | |
| Tan Nguyen, President, Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association Inc. | |
| 12.15 – 1.00 | Panel – Challenges facing older consumers in complex markets |
| Teresa Corbin, Chief Executive Officer, ACCAN | |
| Fiona Guthrie AM, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Counselling Australia | |
| Jeff Fiedler, National Development Worker, Housing for the Aged Action Group | |
| Lynne Gallagher, Director Advocacy, Communications, Research; Energy Consumers Australia | |
| 1.00 – 2.00 | Lunch |
| 2.00 – 2.15 | Older Consumer Soapbox |
| 2.15 – 2.45 | Keynote Address – Consumer rights and protections, and older consumers |
| Gerard Brody, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Action Law Centre | |
| 2.45 – 3.15 | Keynote Address – Standards for the Silver Economy – Consumer Benefit |
| Dr Bronwyn Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Standards Australia | |
| 3.15 – 3.30 | Afternoon break |
| 3.30 – 4.30 | Panel – Voice and empowerment of older consumers |
| Erin Turner, Director Campaigns and Communications, CHOICE | |
| Jane Mussared, Chief Executive Officer, COTA SA | |
| Lawrie Robertson, President, Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria | |
| Anne Meuronen, Policy and Engagement Coordinator, COTA ACT | |
| 4.30 – 4.45 | Concluding remarks – Peter Mares |