COTA’s strategic policies and focus on ageism
3 Jul 2018
One would think that employers would jump at the chance to employ seniors, as we have a wealth of experience and knowledge and are flexible in our approach to work hours.
Last week COTA NT attended the National Policy Reform (NPC) in Canberra. The NPC brings together all COTAs from around Australia to meet and discuss Federal issues that pertain to all Australian seniors. As usual it was very cold in Canberra and I understand why all those southern pollies come to Darwin at this time of year! COTA NT is now in Melbourne for more meetings regarding seniors.
As we are aware, there are a multitude of issues affecting seniors. With the Federal election set for next year, COTA will be lobbying long and hard for these areas which are part of COTA’s strategic policy priorities including: the ALP Dividend Imputation Policy, Retirement Income Covenant, Pension Loan Scheme, Super Extra Year, Work Bonus, Mature Employment Initiatives, Elder Abuse and a host of other issues.
The actual National Policy Forum this year was focused on “Ageism”. More and more seniors are experiencing this, especially in the workforce. One would think that employers would jump at the chance to employ seniors, as we have a wealth of experience and knowledge and are flexible in our approach to work hours.
Unfortunately, ageism seems prevalent in the retail sector. How many of us have waited to be served while the retailer serves everyone else and the older customer appears to be invisible? Ageism can take on a discriminatory form and there has been an increase of reported incidences. COTA NT and the Office of the Public Guardian will be hosting a forum with the Hon Dr Kay Patterson, the Age Discrimination Commissioner on the 21st August at Spillett House and seniors’ rights will be scrutinised. For details, visit the online calendar at COTA NT’s website www.cotant.org.au.
There is a lot of information coming out of these national meetings and we will be sending out COTA NT News via e-mail to COTA members in early July, so stayed tuned.
~ Sue Shearer, CEO COTA NT
Tags: Seniors Voice
