Released 20/02/2018
The ACT Government has welcomed today’s announcement by the Commonwealth that it will develop a national plan to combat elder abuse.
The National Plan will be developed by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Attorneys-General during 2018 in consultation with the business and community sector and older Australians.
Attorney-General and Minister for Seniors Gordon Ramsay said the national plan would address a critical issue that is often overlooked in Australia.
“Elder abuse is more common than many of us realise and it can have a devastating impact for older people and for families,” Minister Ramsay said.
“We are continuing to develop and implement strategies and awareness programs that will serve to prevent and reduce the prevalence of elder abuse and the national plan will complement this work.
“It is important to note the national plan will not replace ACT-specific frameworks to address elder abuse already in place, but instead will build on the strategies and initiatives we already have.”
The national plan to combat elder abuse will have five goals:
- promote the autonomy and agency of older people
- address ageism and promote community understanding of elder abuse
- progress national consistency
- safeguard at-risk older people and improve responses, and
- build the evidence base.
The ACT Elder Abuse Prevention Policy currently provides a framework for ACT Government agencies and funded community partners to respond to elder abuse.
The Government will review this policy in 2018 to establish key areas of work to further develop its responses to elder abuse.
- Statement ends -
Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases