Policy Forum 2018

Policy Forum 2018

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 – 9.30Welcome to country: Agnes Shea
Welcome from COTA Australia: Ian Yates AM
9.30 – 10.00Keynote address – ASIC’s vision of consumer-friendly financial markets for older Australians 
Peter Kell, Deputy Chairman, Australian Securities and Investment Commission
10.00 – 10.30Keynote address – Older consumers – stereotypes, vulnerability and disruption
Jane Caro, author, novelist, journalist, broadcaster, columnist, advertising writer and social commentator
10.30 – 11.00Morning tea
11.00 – 11.30Debate – 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 – 12.15Panel – 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 – 1.00Panel – 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 – 2.00Lunch
2.00 – 2.15Older Consumer Soapbox 
2.15 – 2.45Keynote Address – Consumer rights and protections, and older consumers
Gerard Brody, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Action Law Centre
2.45 – 3.15Keynote Address – Standards for the Silver Economy – Consumer Benefit
Dr Bronwyn Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Standards Australia
3.15 – 3.30Afternoon break
3.30 – 4.30Panel – 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 – 4.45Concluding remarks – Peter Mares