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The increase to Age Pension payments from 20 September will provide welcome relief for millions of older Australians struggling with continued cost-of-living pressures, COTA Australia says.
In the submission we raise some concern that the current media and policy debate on housing, risks intergenerational conflict rather than solidarity.
COTA Australia welcomes the appointment of the Albanese Government’s new ministry, including those responsible for key areas such as health and ageing, aged care and seniors, employment, housing, social services, financial services and women.
Political parties must commit to concrete actions to tackle Australia’s housing crisis, including the alarming rise in older women’s homelessness, in the lead up to the federal election, COTA Australia says.
Data released today showing that just 0.3% of rentals are affordable for a person on the Age Pension should act as a wake up call to political leaders ahead of Saturday’s election, COTA Australia says.
Our political leaders need to use the last week before polling to finally address some of the major issues impacting older Australians, COTA Australia says.
COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for older people – Chief Executive Officer, Patricia Sparrow, said the Federal Election agenda is practical and achievable list of some of the key issues facing older people that need urgent action.
The 2025 Election Statement includes 12 key actions that the next federal Government can do to improve ageing in Australia. This document presents the arguments why it is imperative these 12 actions are addressed, in order that all Australians have the ability to age with dignity and respect.
COTA Australia Chief Executive, Patricia Sparrow, said the risk of not addressing our housing issues will see more people – including older people – put at risk.
Rental assistance needs to be urgently increased to ensure that Australia’s retirees are not living in poverty, COTA Australia says. “Two in three retirees who rent live in poverty. That’s a shocking statistic that we can’t continue to ignore.
The latest round of indexation starting 20 September, 2024 – including Age Pension, Carer Payment and Commonwealth Rental Assistance – is a welcome and necessary step towards alleviating cost-of-living pressures. but further action is needed to address financial pressures faced by older people
COTA Australia welcomes the implementation of a National Housing Consumer Council providing a consumer voice and lived experience expertise to inform housing policy and planning and enable important housing issues to be escalated to the Commonwealth housing minister.