Today marks International Day of Older Persons, with the theme for this year being “The Journey to Age Equality.”
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said senior Australians are vital contributors to communities all around the country.
“Senior Australians built this country and they continue to be role models for younger generations,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Today we pay tribute to our elders and acknowledge the value of their experience, their knowledge and their deep connection with the communities where they have lived, worked and raised their families.
“As our population is living longer we face new challenges and opportunities, and I am confident that senior Australians will continue to help lead the way for our nation.
“Ensuring senior Australians are cared for with dignity and respect is a priority for the Morrison Government.”
Australians are now expected to live almost 10 years longer than was the case 50 years ago. Our average life expectancy is now 82.5 years and it is projected by 2050 there will be more than 40,000 centenarians.
The Morrison Government continues to support senior Australians through a range of measures, including the More Choices for a Longer Life package. Measures from the package which are now in effect include:
- a $10,000 Restart wage subsidy for employing Australians aged 50 and over; and $2000 for new skills and training for mature aged workers
- changes to retirement income law to allow pensioners to earn more
- expanding the Pension Loan Scheme to allow every Australian of pension age to borrow against their home to create an income stream.
- two free online “Life Checks”: one for 45 to 64 year olds, and one for older people
- $22.9 million in grants to sporting organisations to develop local sports programs for seniors
- expanding in-home care services, with an increase in the number of Home Care Packages by 25,000, or 25%, in the year to June 2019.
- The Morrison Government is also delivering record investment in aged care.