New PM should appoint Minister for Ageing
Australia’s new Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, should appoint a Minister for Ageing, says Adjunct Professor John G. Kelly, chief executive officer of Aged & Community Services Australia.
New Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
According to Prof Kelly, ageing covers a range of challenging social and economic dynamics that would be best served by its own minister. “In the Abbott Government, ageing was moved from the Health portfolio to Social Services,” Prof Kelly says.
“The sector has been ably served by Senator Mitch Fifield as Assistant Minister for Social Services but it is extraordinary that this policy area encompassing 14.7% of Australians – and increasing – was represented in Cabinet by the Minister for Social Services, while the Assistant Minister had day-to-day responsibility for ageing and aged care.
“This was at a time of huge change when the two departments involved were ill-equipped to handle the implementation of the reforms.”
Prof Kelly continues: “The Social Services portfolio has responsibilities for families, housing, social services, aged care and disability services.
“Ageing covers a range of complex social and economic dynamics that would be best served by its own minister. This minister would ensure a coordinated government approach to aged care, health and palliative care, housing, employment and training, transport, dementia, discrimination, pensions, superannuation and other financial matters, as they affect older people.
“The 2015 Intergenerational Report presented the scenario that Australia's population will change and grow over the next 40 years and Australians will live longer. In 2054-55 there are projected to be around 40,000 people aged over 100.
“The new Prime Minister must show leadership to the sector by appointing a Minister for Ageing explicitly and having them as a member of Cabinet and we look forward to hearing this announcement.”
