Human rights

COTA NT works hard to protect the rights of all senior Territorians and works with partner organisations to raise awareness of issues, policies and services which aim to bring about positive social change. Below is a snapshot of how our human rights advocacy manifests.

Events

• COTA NT organised one of the first Elder Abuse Awareness Day events held in the Territory to raise awareness of elder abuse, inform people about the issue and to promote the Elder Abuse Information Line that was part of Darwin Community Legal Service’s remit (2015)
• COTA NT jointly with the Office of the Public Guardian hosted a forum, Seniors in the 21st Century – Your Rights Explained with key speaker, Hon Dr Kay Patterson, Age Discrimination Commissioner (2018)
• Darwin Community Legal Service’s event promoting awareness of elder abuse hosted by COTA NT at Spillett House (2018) 

Partnerships

• COTA NT organises an annual Seniors Expo which enables senior Territorians to connect with and find out more about the services of such entities as the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner, Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission and Darwin Community Legal Services.
• We promote and support the work of organisations such as Relationships Australia, in particular its Find and Connect Service and Senior Relationship Service Programs.

Programs

• COTA NT became part of a national trial to deliver the Aged Care Navigators program, which aims to help people access vital government-funded aged care services and support (2019 – ).

Promotion

• COTA NT used its channels to inform Territory seniors about the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and community forums.
• COTA NT promotes initiatives and services from advocacy and human rights groups and associations through its communication channels.
• COTA publishes a web page dedicated to promoting awareness of World Elder Abuse Day (15 June) including access to useful resources.
• COTA NT publishes a web page dedicated to promoting awareness of the International Day of Older Persons. 

Resources

• Australian Human Rights Commission
  • Age Discrimination
  • Elder Abuse
    • Elder Abuse — A National Legal Response
    • National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians
  • LGBTI 
• Older Person Advocacy Network 
• Royal Aged Care Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Reports
• Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission
• Darwin Community Legal Service

Submissions

View our submissions.