Patricia Sparrow, Chief Executive of COTA Australia, said the Federal Government should lead with a comprehensive, ten-year action plan for an ageing Australia.
“Ageism hurts us all,” Ms Sparrow said. “It stops older people from giving back – at work, at home and in the community – and that hurts every generation.
“We’re at a turning point. Ageism is rife in Australia while our population is rapidly ageing. If we want older Australians to fully participate, we must remove the barriers that stop them living, working and contributing on their terms.”
Ms Sparrow said a ten-year action plan for an ageing Australia should be co-designed with older Australians and include:
Measurable actions for government, business and civil society, with clear accountability.
A research program to map where ageist laws, policies and practices exist, quantify the prevalence and cost of ageism, and identify cohorts at risk – including older women forced into early retirement with less security.
Funding for evidence-based prevention, including public awareness to reduce ageism, tackle discrimination, and lift visibility of the issue across the community.