NSA condemns campaign crumbs

Yesterday, older Australians united outside Parliament House in Canberra to condemn both parties for avoiding the big issues in the lead-up to the Federal election.
 
Consumer groups, National Seniors Australia (NSA), the Association of Independent Retirees (AIR) and the Federation of Ethnic Community Councils (FECCA) want to know where the big issues are.
 
“We’ve had a few crumbs but where are the big issues such as dental health and nursing homes?” asked NSA chief executive, Michael O’Neill.
 
“We went into this election calling for leadership on the tough issues but the campaign has degenerated into a race of personalities rather than policies.”
 
“Disillusioned older Australians, rather than voting along traditional lines, are seriously considering third party options,” said Mr O’Neill.
 
“In marginal seats across the country, aged care is the issue that keeps coming up. Plagued by staffing and bed shortages, the system is under enormous and growing pressure as the population ages,” said Mr O’Neill.
 
“Older Australians desperate and eligible for aged care either at home or in a facility can’t get it because of waiting lists. Where do they go from there? None of the politicians are talking about it,” said Mr O’Neill.
 
For seniors in migrant communities deficiencies across the board – from income security to participation and care – are compounded by cultural barriers.
 
FECCA chair, Pino Migliorino, says any discussion of older Australians must address the cultural and linguistic diversity of that group.
 
“By 2011, 23% of Australians aged over 65 years will be from migrant communities and they will continue to grow as a proportion of the population of older Australians,” he says. 

For AIR president, Theresa Kot, the big issue is very much about easing the squeeze on self-funded retirees who, almost two years on, are still reeling from the economic downturn. 
 
“Government actions during the global financial crisis – such as guaranteed bank deposits, the resulting frozen trust funds, and poor oversight by government agencies such as ASIC and APRA – left too many self-funded retiree’s investments vulnerable and reduced in value,” she said.
 
“Self-funded retirees’ investments are still tied up and recovery from the global financial crisis is slow. Apart from the Coalition’s promise to raise the income limits on the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, there’s been no talk of this or how we protect ourselves from another possible European-led downturn,” said Ms Kot.