Ageing population
Press release
22 September 2010
National Seniors Australia (NSA) chief executive Michael O’Neill addressed the National Press Club in Canberra today on the complex and interrelated challenges facing an ageing population.
Mr O’Neill said the response to the ageing population was best characterised “as a doomsday scenario with the nation being overrun by oldies on motor scooters terrorising government revenue through pensions and health costs.”
Future models of aged care, staffing shortages, nursing standards, quality of life and the ramifications of ageist attitudes by employers to older workers in relation to the increase in the pension age to 67, were some of the areas Mr O’Neill addressed.
His speech was backed by current research carried out for NSA by Access Economics and surveys from NSA members who total 280,000 members aged 50 plus across Australia.
Following the address Mr O’Neill took questions from the floor which raised issues including:
With around 280,000 members, National Seniors is Australia’s largest consumer organisation for the over-50s and fourth largest group of its kind in the world.
22 September 2010
The challenges facing an ageing population
National Seniors Australia (NSA) chief executive Michael O’Neill addressed the National Press Club in Canberra today on the complex and interrelated challenges facing an ageing population.
Mr O’Neill said the response to the ageing population was best characterised “as a doomsday scenario with the nation being overrun by oldies on motor scooters terrorising government revenue through pensions and health costs.”
Future models of aged care, staffing shortages, nursing standards, quality of life and the ramifications of ageist attitudes by employers to older workers in relation to the increase in the pension age to 67, were some of the areas Mr O’Neill addressed.
His speech was backed by current research carried out for NSA by Access Economics and surveys from NSA members who total 280,000 members aged 50 plus across Australia.
Following the address Mr O’Neill took questions from the floor which raised issues including:
- Does the existence of a minority government and the independents offer NSA greater opportunities to push issues around ageing?
- The funding of aged care through taxes or individuals investing in own aged care through a voucher system or a system similar to superannuation
- How to address ageism in the workforce in relation to pension age being increased to 67
- Euthanasia and what does NSA membership think of current debate?
- New government’s move that saw the ageing portfolio married to mental health which has the perception of downgrading aged care issues
- New models to accommodate people as they age and services to be consumer driven not provider driven through government regulations
- Respite carers issue needs urgent critical attention
- Aged care is as important as broadband and the environment yet comparatively receives little attention from governments
Media contacts: 07 3233 9105 or 07 3233 9106
With around 280,000 members, National Seniors is Australia’s largest consumer organisation for the over-50s and fourth largest group of its kind in the world.
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