Page 1515 - Week 04 - Thursday, 25 March 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
A range of organisations, such as ACTCOSS and COTA, and key government agencies are also exploring the concept of the village network cooperative model. Such a network would enable older Canberrans to safely access a variety of services, such as approved home maintenance services, to assist them to stay in their own homes. The key benefit of this type of network is that older Canberrans will be able to remain in their communities. These and other housing related initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to establishing a housing system that meets the challenges of an ageing population.
Having a choice of appropriate and accessible support services is important for older people to maintain their independence. Through the ACT concessions program, the ACT government provides concessions to eligible older people for services such as utilities, public transport, motor vehicle registration, drivers licences, spectacles and taxis. These concessions assist older people, particularly those on lower incomes, to meet the cost of essential services.
The government also recognises the importance of adequate and accessible transport in reducing social isolation of seniors by enabling them to move around the city more easily. The government has committed to purchasing 100 more accessible buses over the next three years. Concession card and seniors card holders have access to concession fares on public transport, and people over 75 years can travel for free with their gold cards. Over 6,400 people have registered for gold cards since July of last year. Every year as part of Seniors Week the government provides seniors with free bus travel between 9 am and 4.30 pm. I have heard that this is a very popular initiative and that many seniors take the opportunity to travel to Seniors Week activities and events. For Seniors Week, the government has extended public transport concessions to peak hours for seniors card holders to help maximise their community participation.
To complement public transport, in 2008 the Chief Minister launched the six regional community bus services provided by regional community services. These services provide a flexible door-to-door service for people at risk of social isolation, particularly seniors. I have been told that these have been successful and have greatly assisted older people to move more easily to attend social activities, community events and medical appointments.
For many older people, retiring from the workforce can be a difficult experience. For others, it offers an opportunity to develop new skills and participate in social and leisure activities or volunteering. Preparing for this phase of life requires planning, advice and support. The ACT government encourages seniors to continue to participate in the workforce. We are committed to supporting mature age employment and are working on this issue with the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing.
Recreation is one of the things that many of us look forward to in retirement. We recognise the important role that seniors clubs play in the lives of many older Canberrans. In the 2009-10 budget, the government committed to fund a new seniors club in Tuggeranong Valley, and I am looking forward to that development and construction over this year.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video