Whole of government action needed to meet the needs of older people
Date:
Tue, 10/07/2012
Spokesperson:
Council on the Ageing NSW (COTA NSW).
“Forty three per cent of the voting population in NSW is aged over 50,” observes Ian Day, CEO of Council on the Ageing NSW (COTA NSW). “Our issues aren’t marginal, they’re mainstream. These days it’s only possible to describe something as ‘good policy’ if it addresses the needs and concerns of people over 50, so I welcome the fact that the State Government is taking a whole-of-government focus in its Ageing Strategy.”
Announced today, the NSW Government’s Ageing Strategy will be implemented over the next three years. “The real test of the Strategy will be in its implementation,” says Mr Day.
“By their nature, whole-of-government strategies rely on government departments working successfully with each other. Individual Ministers and MPs will play a critical role in ensuring that the Strategy delivers.”
“In nearly a quarter of electorates in NSW, more than half of the constituents are over 50 years of age and they will want to see that their local member is behind the Strategy.”
Mr Day said that a number of valuable measures were announced in the Strategy. “Measures to strengthen older peoples’ participation in the workforce are particularly important and the proposal to develop the NSW public service as an employer of choice for mature-aged workers is laudable. New funding opportunities to bolster seniors’ IT skills are sound and measures to increase older peoples’ participation in sport and recreation – and so improve their health – are positive. Additional funding to assist local government to create more liveable communities is also welcome.”
“COTA NSW knows people over 50. We do a lot to engage older people and we know what their key issues are. Given this, we know that they are extremely keen to see that the Government keeps them top-of-mind whenever a policy or program is announced in any portfolio.”
More than the NSW Average of people over 50 years of age Of all of voting age
% 50+
Bega 62.3%
Myall Lakes 61.1%
Port Macquarie 60.0%
Oxley 58.5%
South Coast 58.1%
Clarence 56.7%
Tweed 56.3%
Murray-Darling 55.0%
Burrinjuck 54.2%
Swansea 54.0%
Goulburn 53.6%
Ballina 53.5%
Port Stephens 53.3%
Lake Macquarie 52.9%
Coffs Harbour 52.9%
Terrigal 52.4%
Lismore 51.5%
Blue Mountains 51.2%
Kiama 51.1%
Davidson 50.9%
Northern Tablelands 50.9%
Gosford 50.5%
Pittwater 50.3%
Tamworth 49.5%
Barwon 48.8%
Albury 48.7%
The Entrance 48.4%
Murrumbidgee 48.3%
Dubbo 47.9%
Charlestown 47.3%
Bathurst 47.2%
Wyong 47.0%
Orange 46.8%
Ku-ring-gai 46.8%
Keira 46.4%
Shellharbour 45.9%
Upper Hunter 45.8%
Miranda 45.6%
Cronulla 45.5%
Castle Hill 45.4%
Cessnock 44.6%
Epping 44.6%
East Hills 44.4%
Lane Cove 44.1%
Baulkham Hills 43.3%
Average NSW 43.2%
NB: There are 45 electorates in NSW where more than 43% of the voters are over 50 years of age.
Council on the Ageing NSW Inc. ABN 31 090 328 955
CEO, Ian Day, is available for interview: 0417 210 234 or (02) 9286 3860 www.cotansw.com.au
