AUSTRALIA | COTA Australia has highlighted the mistake of political parties ignoring senior voting populations less than a week from the federal election.
COTA Australia Chief Executive Officer, Patricia Sparrow, said that in the lead up to the federal election and with nearly half of the voting population over 50, ignoring the needs of such a large section of the population will have a negative impact on people of all generations.
“We’ve got less than a week until polling and we’re yet to see any meaningful commitment to improving the lives of older people out of our political leaders,” Sparrow said.
“COTA Australia’s election panel research shows many older people are feeling their views are being ignored in the political discussion, with over 83 percent of older people saying political parties have not made commitments that will improve their lives.
Sparrow said the issues older Australians are looking for action on include things like affordable dental care, supporting renters, reducing the cost of living pressures, introducing a strategy for an ageing Australia, and providing housing options for older women at risk of homelessness.
“Our political leaders seem determined to ignore the elephant in the room, that the issues facing older people today are issues facing every generation. If not today, then in years to come. If we’re lucky, we’re all an older person waiting to happen.”
Sparrow said there’s a sense among older people that they are being pigeon-holed and left out of the current national debate.
“Older Australians aren’t one-dimensional and shouldn’t be treated like they are. While action on aged care and employment is important, older Australians are not all aged care residents or part-time workers,” she added.
“We’re hoping that with less than a week to go our political leaders will finally get their act together and start speaking to older Australians with policies that matter to them.”
Sparrow added that it would be a complete misstep from Australian political parties to continue to ignore the needs and wants of such a large portion of our population.
“We’re calling on candidates and parties to show they understand the challenges older people face and to act, not just for the benefit of older Australians, but for every generation.”
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