20 September 2011

Seniors meet WA government ministers to confront the issues

Representatives from Australia’s largest seniors’ group met in Perth today to face government ministers about the pressing issues affecting Western Australian seniors.

National Seniors Australia chief executive Michael O’Neill and local Policy Advisory Group chair June MacDonald met with Minister for Seniors Robyn McSweeney and Shadow Minister for Seniors Sue Ellery.

One of the biggest issues discussed was Western Australia’s poor efforts to provide stamp duty relief for WA seniors.

Chief executive Michael O’Neill said WA was behind many other states and territories in providing relief to seniors.

“There is all this talk about seniors downsizing from the family home but it’s actually very difficult for WA seniors to do so because WA is so far behind in providing stamp duty concessions to seniors,’’ O’Neill said.

“Stamp duty was a big topic we raised with both ministers who were both receptive to stamp duty being a significant consideration in the future.”

WA Policy Advisory Group chair June MacDonald said cost of living pressures, seniors’ friendly housing and mature age employment were also discussed.

“The price of soaring electricity in WA is affecting our seniors, especially pensioners on low-fixed incomes,’’ she said.

“It was a very important issue on the agenda today.

“We also discussed the need for the government to plan better and consider seniors’ friendly housing in the future.

“Older people don’t want to be removed from their communities to a place they are not familiar in in old age.”

The contributions mature age employers can make to the workforce was also discussed, MacDonald said.

WA spokesperson June MacDonald is available for interview on 0416 208 154.

Media: Casey-Ann Seaniger 0422 391 627

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With a quarter of a million members Australia-wide, National Seniors is the consumer lobby for the over 50s. It is the fourth largest organisation of its type in the world.