Assistant Minister for Social Security, Assistant Minister for Ageing, Assistant Minister for Women
Good morning, everyone.
I acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands we meet on today, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, and pay my respects to elders past and present. And thank you to Aunty Zeta Thomson for your Welcome to Country.
Thank you to Professor Comans and the team at NARI for inviting me to open your Annual Summit.
It's been around seven weeks since I took up the role of Assistant Minister for Social Security, Ageing and Women.
It's been a pleasure to already engage with so many people who are passionate about supporting Australians to age well, including those here at NARI, and Age Discrimination Commissioner Fitzgerald, who I know is speaking next.
My role is a new one for our Government, demonstrating the importance the Albanese Government places on valuing and supporting older people across the spectrum of ageing experiences.
In my community, in the north-eastern suburbs here in Melbourne, I am inspired by the energy and commitment of the older locals who are running the canteen at footy or netball, volunteering at the community garden or working behind the scenes at one of the RSLs.
They are the part of the fabric of the community, creating opportunities for connection and keeping our local organisations running.
There are those who are still working, and those who are helping out with grandkids - I myself benefit from the grandparent economy.
Others are checking in on friends, keeping an eye on the neighbourhood or supporting local businesses.
However, despite their enormous contribution, older people tell me they often feel invisible, undervalued and even unsafe in Australian society.
They feel they are ignored in the policy debate…
And ageism is an everyday reality.
This is not the experience of ageing we want for our loved ones - or for ourselves in the future.
As a society, we need to acknowledge that older people have lived full lives quite capably, and that their right to agency and self-determination does not diminish with age.
As a government, we must ensure our social policies reflect the spectrum of circumstances of older Australians.
And as Assistant Minister for Ageing, I am in a welcome position to elevate the priorities for - and wellbeing of - older Australians.
The right to dignity and security in retirement is a core belief of the Albanese Labor Government.
Labor created the Age Pension and built universal superannuation to ensure Australia's post-retirement income system is strong and sustainable.
Many older people today, especially women and those providing unpaid care, need at least a degree of government support.
I mention older women because women experience compounding disadvantage as they age, particularly in respect to economic security and health.
They face a greater risk of financial instability in later life, retiring on average almost four years earlier than men, with around 25 per cent less superannuation, and are disproportionately reliant on social security.
Women are far more likely to be primary carers, and they experience unique health challenges and barriers, including dementia being the leading cause of death and disease burden for women.
We also know that women use health care services more than men, and consequently have higher out-of-pocket health care costs. Yet, they are also more likely to delay seeking the help they need due to cost.
Working for Women, Australia's first national gender equality strategy released earlier this year provides the necessary framework and vision for Australia - where people are safe, treated with respect, have choices, and have access to resources and equal outcomes no matter their gender.
Achieving gender equality is critical to realising the human rights of all people, and I will be looking closely at how we support older women now, and into the future.
It would be remiss of me not to mention aged care at this Summit, given this year's theme "Human Rights are Older People's Rights, Too".
Last week, Minister Wells introduced the new Aged Care Act, a historic piece of legislation that puts the rights of older people at the heart of aged care.
The cornerstone of this bill is a Statement of Rights, underpinned by Australia's obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The Statement of Rights outlines what all Australians can, and should, expect from aged care. That is:
- Person-centred care that is culturally safe and trauma aware.
- Dignity and respect.
- Individuality and diversity.
- Independence.
- Choice and control.
- Dignity of risk.
- Privacy.
Beyond aged care, we know that the rate of disability and health conditions is higher among older people, with extensive support provided both through the health and social security system to this cohort.
People aged 65 and over are also the biggest users of primary care, acute care such as hospitals, and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
The Albanese Government is already delivering substantial initiatives across the Health and Aged Care portfolios to support older Australians, including cheaper medicines and increased access to free or cheaper healthcare.
Our job moving forward is to ensure there is no compromise to the health and safety of older people.
This includes addressing age discrimination, an issue that unfortunately is still too prevalent in our society.
As a local MP, and now in this new role, I've heard about too many examples - in workplaces, when seeking healthcare, in trying to move around and be part of one's community - that older Australians encounter as part of their day to day lives.
And in particular I know many here, including Commissioner Fitzgerald, are concerned about elder abuse, as am I.
Elder abuse is something that too often a hidden form of cruelty.
Whether it is physical, psychological, emotional, or financial abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse, our Government is clear: it is must be eliminated.
Our Government has launched a campaign to raise awareness about elder abuse, and ensure older people understand where and how they can seek help if they are at risk or experiencing abuse.
Working towards eliminating elder abuse is whole of government work and whole of society work. We need to work together on this.
All of us here in this room will have a different experience of ageing, based on factors both within and beyond our control.
But what we have in common is that we want to age well, feel financially secure, and live in communities that meet our needs and respect our rights.
This is what older Australians want - and expect - today, and what we, as a Government, are working to deliver.
The work of NARI and the many academics and advocates here today - and the conversations you will have with John Davis from the Council of Elders and Commissioner Andrea Kelly, both of whom I have had the pleasure to meet - all contribute to helping the Albanese Government deliver on our vision of an Australia where everyone is entitled to respect, dignity and the opportunity to participate in the social, cultural and economic life of our nation.
Thank you for everything you do - I hope you enjoy your Summit.
