MACST - meeting highlight 13 August 2026

The Minister’s Advisory Council for Senior Territorians (the Council) met in Darwin on 13 August 2026 with the Minister for Youth, Seniors and Equality, the Hon Jinson Charls MLA.

Minister’s update

The Minister for Youth, Seniors and Equality:

• Advised the Council of the partnership in June 2026 of Darwin Community Legal Service and COTA NT to hold 4 events across the Territory to acknowledge World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEEAD) through the WEEAD Grant 2026. This allowed for greater awareness across our Territory community regarding older persons abuse, and what people can do to help.
• Discussed the Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2026, introduced by the Territory’s Attorney-General, the Honourable Marie-Clare Boothby on 23 July 2026. The Bill will provide a lawful, as well as strict and safeguarded, avenue for voluntary assisted dying in the NT.
• Acknowledged the work of the Council and COTA NT who have shared advice about voluntary assisted dying with the minister since the minister’s first Council meeting in November 2024.
• Congratulated COTA NT on another successful Darwin Seniors Expo, held on 27 June 2026 and Alice Springs Seniors Expo held on 12 August 2026.

Council discussion

The main discussion areas raised by the Council in the meeting included:

• The introduction of the Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2026.
• The Seniors Card 2026 Annual Survey.
• The Alice Springs Expo on 12 August 2026.
• Work underway by the Housing Working Group, Working Seniors Working Group and the Concessions Working Group.