Tony, will the Minister have Cabinet status?

National Seniors Australia (NSA) is calling on Tony Abbott to confirm that his new Minister for Seniors and Ageing position would hold Cabinet status.
 
The call follows Wednesday’s announcement that a coalition government would create a ministerial position responsible not just for aged care but the breadth of issues facing the over-50s. 
 
“Population ageing can’t be underestimated. In 1970, 8% of all Australians were aged over 65; by 2050 that figure will be 25%. It will affect every aspect of Australian society from health to infrastructure and the economy. I’m not convinced current policy-makers grasp the implications of this,” NSA chairman, Everald Compton, said.
 
“With responsibilities cutting across several portfolios, the Seniors and Ageing Minister must be involved in decision-making at the highest levels – the position deserves Cabinet status.
 
“He or she will need to oversee sustainable health, aged care and social security systems; rethink the way we design public spaces, houses, transport systems and workplaces; and consider how best to shape demographic change in the national interest.
 
“These are big issues. They demand action. They cannot be swept under the carpet.
 
“I am calling on a similar commitment from Labor if re-elected,” said Mr Compton.

NSA however, welcomed Labor’s pledge to allow pensioners to annualise their employment income rather than declare it fortnightly.
 
Under the current system of fortnightly income reporting requirements, pensioners are finding their government payments slashed after taking on seasonal work such as supervising exams.
 
NSA chief executive, Michael O’Neill, said the change would fix a system anomaly, which has existed since pension reforms were introduced in 2009.
 
“All the research points to the benefits of remaining productive and active as we age yet the current pension rules are a disincentive to that,” said Mr O’Neill.
 
“Fortnightly reporting requirements are a glitch which, regardless of who’s in power, urgently needs ironing out.”
 
Labor’s pledge to create a standalone Age Discrimination Commissioner has also been welcomed by NSA.
 
“The creation of a stand-alone Age Discrimination Commissioner will go a long way in addressing the institutional and attitudinal barriers older Australians face in work and society,” said Mr O’Neill.