Ambassador for Ageing

Senator Jan McLucas has announced that a Rudd Labor Government will establish an Ambassador for Ageing to positively promote respect for and the value of older Australians.

“When the first Intergenerational Report was released in 2002 the Treasurer spoke of the fiscal burden that our country was facing,” Senator McLucas said. “That language – talk of older people as a burden – was highly offensive to older people, and they have made that known to me very plainly,” Senator McLucas said.

“It does not recognise the asset that older people are to our communities or recognise the reality that older people volunteer at the highest rate in the country.

“It does not recognise the unquantifiable value of the childcare they are providing their grandchildren due to the costs of formal childcare.
And it does not recognise that this section of our society has worked hard, paid taxes and in many ways built our nation – and deserve respect and to be valued.

“It is those values that underpin Labor’s policy approach to ageing. A policy approach based on supporting the aspirations of older Australians, in the many and varied forms those aspirations will be.

“In a policy sense, the common view is that the portfolio of ageing is aged care – and residential aged care at that. However, the reality is that most of us will not use residential aged care.

“Just like Jeff Kennett has been able to inform and educate our community about depression, Labor’s Ageing Ambassador will promote active and healthy ageing not only to older people themselves – but also to the broader community.

“Governments need to ensure that all policies acknowledge and plan for our ageing population. And they, like all other Australians want their governments to provide the services they expect.

“The Ambassador will promote positive programs and activities that ensure our communities value and respect older people.

“Labor will also establish a Ministerial Council on Ageing reporting to COAG – as we do in education, health and justice to ensure that policies and programs in state and territory governments are also focused on inclusion of older people.