COTA NT supports national budget strategies

12 Apr 2016

COTA calls for equitable services to be delivered to older Australians within the aged care or health system

COTA NT is part of the COTA Australia national policy organisation which is the national consumer peak body of a Federation of more than 1,000 seniors’ organisations and members representing over 500,000 senior Australians. In advance of the 2016 Federal Budget COTA A has developed a strategic policy submission in the key areas of Retirement Incomes, Health and Well Being and Aged Care.

Retirement Incomes

On Retirement Incomes, COTA A seeks an independent retirement incomes review that includes the age pension, superannuation, taxation, housing and paying for health and aged care. It aims to achieve a retirement incomes policy that will be fair, sustainable and bring long term stability to retirement planning. Also sought is the creation and implementation of a comprehensive National Mature Age Workforce Participation Strategy. Removal of direct age discrimination against workers 65 years and over in taxation legislation is also proposed.

Health and Well Being

In regard to Health and Well Being, COTA A calls for an expansion of the recently announced mental health reforms supporting people with a disability arising from a mental illness, to ensure equitable services are delivered for older Australians within the aged care or health systems. Funding also needs to be ensured for the forthcoming National Plan for Older Australian Oral Health Strategy. This Budget Strategy also supports Palliative Care Australia in its Pre – Budget Submission for funding of high quality end of life care.

Aged Care

With regard to Aged Care COTA A plays a leading role in the reform of Australia’s aged care system. There priorities include the continuation of steps towards a consumer led market based aged care system that is fully responsive to assessed needs and capacity to pay, including full implementation of the current aged care reforms. Inherent is the development of strong and effective consumer support and empowerment services and programs including stronger consumer protection, increased advice and information, opportunity for consumer partnership and control and better measures of aged care quality. This will require the maintenance and expansion of government support to those without sufficient means to self-fund necessary care in older age, to ensure equitable access to high quality care.

Tags: Seniors Voice