February 2017 - COTA continues its call for current and future governments to take a long-term, strategic, integrated policy approach to population ageing, and a fair, equitable and productive policy approach towards current and future cohorts of older Australians.
Older Australians need a comprehensive plan from the Australian Government, demonstrating that all areas of Government are thinking and acting in a coordinated fashion to improve the lives of mature age and older Australians.
In the COVID-19 response Budget in October, we urge the Federal Government to prioritise the following areas:Pensions and Income Support
Future Retirement Income Policy
Aged Care Reform
Employment of older Australians
Housing
A whole-of-Government approach to an Ageing Australia
The strategy needs to precisely articulate its purpose and explain how this will be advanced over the coming decade to ensure the nation a more integrated, evidence based, knowledge driven response to maximising preventive health and wellbeing outcomes for Australians across their life span.
COTA Australia commends the delivery of stimulus measures designed to incentivise employment. COTA Australia does wish to express a number of concerns. No older workers should be displaced due to JobMaker. Wait times and the rate of JobMaker eligibility should be reconsidered.