Page 3514 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 12 September 2017
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bus travel for those over 70, easing cost-of-living pressures and increasing older people’s ability to be active and independent. This has now been in place since 14 January this year and is enjoyed by many Canberrans.
The government offers the flexible transport bus service to assist seniors to access shopping centres, attend medical appointments and participate in social events such as Seniors Week. The flexible bus service has proven very successful, with over 50,000 passenger trips and over 1,000 passengers recorded on the booking system. I am pleased to note the expansion of the service to the inner north of Canberra from 11 September this year.
Work is progressing well to achieve the vision and the outcomes articulated in the active ageing framework. Work to create an age-friendly city has continued to be shaped by innovation and investment in key areas of work. We have a unique opportunity in Canberra to capitalise on our advantages as a planned city and to become a world leader as an age-friendly city.
The extent to which we achieve an age-friendly city is the extent to which we achieve an inclusive and vibrant one. Accessible public buildings, housing and streets enhance the mobility and independence of older people and those with disabilities. Safe neighbourhoods also allow children and women to be outside, confidently participating in social and physical activities. The whole community and economy benefit from the participation of older people in the community, enabled by appropriate transport systems and age-friendly environments.
As we enter the final stages of the ACT active ageing framework, we will be looking to the community, community experts and advocates, and within government, to plan the next stage of the ongoing transformation of our age-friendly city.
I present the following paper.
ACT Active Ageing Framework 2015-2018—Update for 2016-2017—Ministerial statement, 12 September 2017.
I move:
That the Assembly take note of the paper.
MS LE COUTEUR (Murrumbidgee) (10.57): Of course, as an older person it is very pleasing to hear about the work that is being done to support older people in our community. Civic participation and employment for older Canberrans are vital both for them and for the vibrancy of the city. We must take the time to respect the views of older people, and I am pleased there are a number of initiatives to promote civic participation and employment.
I would like to see more. I particularly reference that COTA was for a period funded to help older unemployed Canberrans get together a resume which would be attractive to employers and become job ready again but unfortunately COTA have informed me that the funding for this is no longer current and they have ceased the program.
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