Applause for age-friendly country

“We stand on the cusp of making Australia the most age-friendly country in the world,” Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia chief executive, Ian Yates, says – and the recent appointment of Mark Butler to Cabinet may bring the sector a step closer to achieving this.

COTA welcomed Mark Butler’s appointment to Cabinet as Minister for Mental Health and Ageing and Minister for Social Inclusion. The appointment has brought with it a quiet confidence for ageing groups such as COTA.

“We are confident this elevation of Ageing to Cabinet will lead to a 2012 Federal Budget that introduces major aged care reform through the implementation of the full package of the Productivity Commission recommendations in its ‘Caring for Older Australians’ report,” Mr Yates says.

Aged & Community Services Australia national president, Rob Hankins, also welcomes Mr Butler’s appointment, saying it is a “clear recognition” by the government of the significance of the ageing and aged care agenda.

Aged & Community Care Victoria chief executive, Gerard Mansour, adds he hopes the reason for appointing Mr Butler to Cabinet will be reflected in the 2012-13 Budget.

Although the Prime Minister’s decision to elevate the ageing portfolio to Cabinet is applauded by advocates and ageing groups last week, the re-creation of the Minister for Housing is equally important.

Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia chief executive, Ian Yates, says they have “urged for the past five years the issue of affordable and appropriate housing for older Australians as a crisis in waiting”.

However, Mr Yates warns the “failure to act in 2012 will have dire consequences for both older Australians and the public purse”.

What are your thoughts on Mr Butler’s appointment? What effect will it have on the issue of ageing? Share your thoughts by commenting in the box below.