Page 904 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 20 March 2019
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older people face, which Ms Lawder has also touched upon of course. I regularly talk to constituents about rates. My notes say “many” but I have to say most of them do not have any idea of the options available to help them pay.
Last month, as a result of my motion, a letter was sent to all 13,700 concession ratepayers. It was to let them know that they can pay their rates weekly, fortnightly or monthly rather than quarterly or annually. Despite the fact the current rate notice has the annual amount up there on the front page to encourage us to do that, you do not have to do that. The letter also let these concession ratepayers know that there actually are deferments available and that there is an excellent chance that they are eligible for it and how they can take the first step to getting one.
I do not believe that the Greens need to change their attitude towards older people. I would qualify now as an older person and I think that the Greens’ attitude is entirely respectful towards us.
Added to that, I am confident that the ACT government will continue the development of the age-friendly city plan to help to ensure that it makes a positive impact on the lives of our senior Canberrans and will continue to provide targeted concessions and important schemes to Canberra’s most vulnerable. And I remain committed to ensuring that this occurs. I support the amendment put forward by Minister Ramsay.
MR STEEL (Murrumbidgee—Minister for City Services, Minister for Community Services and Facilities, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Roads) (6.21): ACT Seniors Week is Canberra’s opportunity to promote positive attitudes towards ageing. The Council on the Ageing ACT and its partners have organised a fantastic program of events and I congratulate everyone involved. I am also very pleased that Transport Canberra and City Services was able to support the event by providing seniors card holders with free bus travel during ACT Seniors Week.
Madam Speaker, we have an ageing population—just like other parts of Australia—and it is incumbent upon us to make sure that we have an age-friendly city. This is not just a new concept for our government; we have been working with the community for some time now on achieving better neighbourhoods for Canberrans of all ages.
The 2016 census outlined that people are choosing to stay in Canberra for longer, and our policies need to reflect this. We have published a draft integrated transport strategy, moving Canberra, which has Canberrans at the centre of our policies and decision-making, particularly older Canberrans. It recognises the importance of our older community members, and this has been a key theme during community consultation processes. I really value the views of our community, and I understand that the feedback that has already been provided on moving Canberra gives further insights and ideas for making Canberra’s transport system even more accessible and age-friendly.
A key aspect of an age-friendly city is to make it easier for older residents to access shops, services and public transport as well as social, fitness or recreational activities.
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