Minister for Ageing proud of Noeline Brown appointment as Ambassador for Ageing
Minister for Ageing proud of Noeline Brown's appointment as Ambassador for Ageing
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15 April 2008
Minister for Ageing Mrs Justine Elliot today called on Shadow Ageing spokesperson Margaret May to immediately apologise to Ms Noeline Brown for launching a personal and scathing attack on her appointment as Australia’s first Ambassador for Ageing.
Mrs Elliot was responding to an attack by Mrs May in a media statement issued today.
On Saturday April 12, Mrs Elliot announced the Federal Government had appointed Ms Noeline Brown to the post.
“Noeline Brown is an Australian icon – and Mrs May should apologise immediately,” Mrs Elliot said.
“Her connection to the Australian Labor Party is well known and on the public record. Anyone with a sense of Australian history would remember seeing Ms Brown next to Mr Gough Whitlam at the It’s Time campaign in 1972.
“My message is clear – Noeline Brown has made a significant contribution to Australian cultural life and deserves our respect.
“Make no mistake, Noeline Brown – who turns 70 in October and still strides the planks as a working actress and patron of charity – is the epitome of healthy and positive ageing.
“Ms Noeline Brown is a great Australian – full stop.”
The Federal Government created the Ambassador for Ageing to ensure that older Australians have a strong voice, a direct link into Government and a person to promote positive and active ageing.
The Ambassador for Ageing will be involved in a range of activities and events that promote positive and active ageing within the community as well as being a spokesperson for older Australians.
Noeline Brown will be involved in a range of activities and events that promote positive and active ageing within the community as well as being a spokesperson for older Australians.
The Ambassador will undertake a range of functions and responsibilities including:
- promoting internationally recognised principles of positive and active ageing
- promoting healthy and active ageing messages within the community
- leading promotional activities to ensure our communities value and respect older people;
- being spokesperson for respecting and recognising the continuing contribution made by older people to our nation;
- explaining Government programs and initiatives to the public including assisting older people to be aware of programs and how to access them; and
- encouraging older people to plan for the future
- representing the Australian Government at conferences, meetings and media engagements; and
- attending meetings with key Commonwealth, State and local government stakeholders on positive ageing issues.
The Ambassador for Ageing is an election commitment made on August 22, 2007.
Aged Care in Australia – the facts
The Department of Health and Ageing oversees more than 2870 accredited nursing homes with 167,070 aged care beds across Australia.
Currently, there are 1.9 million Australians aged 70 and over, comprising 9.3 per cent of the population. Within 40 years the number of people aged over 65 will almost triple, from 2.8 million today to around 7.2 million in 2047, or from around 13 per cent of the population today to over 25 per cent.
Australia is facing a demographic shift. Australians now have one of the world's longest life expectancy rates, outliving Swedes, Norwegians and Finns. Australia will change forever.
An Australian born today can expect to live to reach 80.9 years of age; it is 78.5 years for a man and 83.3 for a woman.
Details – Media Adviser – Kay McNiece – 0412 132 585 or (02) 6277 7280
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