Advisory Council for Senior Territorians - Communique 3 July 2024

The Minister’s Advisory Council for Senior Territorians met on 3 July 2024 in Darwin with the Hon Ngaree Ah Kit MLA, Minister for Youth, Seniors and Equality.

Minister's update

The Minister for Youth, Seniors and Equality met with the council for the second time this year.

Minister Ah Kit acknowledged the work of the former acting chair of the council, Bob Shewring, whose appointment has ended.

Mr Shewring was a member of the council for 9 years, and in that time his knowledge and expertise greatly benefitted the Territory.

Minister Ah Kit advised that:

• the annual report for the Northern Territory (NT) Seniors Policy Implementation Plan 2022-24 is complete and being prepared for publication:
  • this report provides a comprehensive overview of the progress and achievements in advancing wellbeing of senior Territorians
• members had an opportunity to share their discussion points from working group sessions focused on:
  • older person abuse and community safety
  • housing
  • concessions.

Working group discussions

All members participated in one of the following working groups:

Older person abuse

Members of the working group discussed critical issues surrounding older person abuse and community safety in the NT.

The meeting highlighted several key points:

• social housing safety and visitors:
  • members deliberated on the safety of social housing, particularly concerning visitors from outside the community
• public safety concerns:
  • the group also focused on public safety concerns, notably within shopping centres and on public transport
• community awareness of older person abuse, members expressed concern regarding:
  • the community's understanding of older person abuse, particularly its impact across diverse cultural backgrounds
  • the knowledge gap being a barrier to effective intervention and support
  • strengthening public understanding of older person abuse, and making this a priority.

Housing

The working group has a focus on improving conditions and accessibility for senior residents.

The following key points were discussed:

• incentives for landlords:
  • members recommend incentives encouraging landlords to retain good tenants to stabilise housing security for seniors across the Territory
• enforcement of antisocial behaviour in social housing:
  • members proposed stricter enforcement of antisocial behaviour policies within social housing to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents
• increase in social and affordable housing for seniors:
  • members advocated for the construction of more social and affordable housing tailored specifically for seniors
• integration of housing for seniors into the community:
  • members highlighted a preference for integration over segregation and reiterated the importance of incorporating housing for seniors into community planning to foster inclusivity and support networks.

Concessions

The working group reviewed the current concessions available to seniors in the NT, aiming to ensure equity and accessibility across urban and rural areas.

The following key points were discussed:

• disparity between urban and rural areas:
  • concerns were raised regarding differences in concession availability between urban and rural areas
  • members noted that seniors in rural areas lack access to concessions for self-managed electricity, water, and sewerage, unlike their urban counterparts
• proposal for adjusting concession benefits:
  • the NT Government explore options to address the shortfall in concessions for rural residents unable to access full benefits due to having self-managed utilities
  • allowing affected seniors to reallocate the monetary equivalent of concessions to another eligible benefit category.

Commonwealth aged care update

The Australian Government's Department of Health and Aged Care, spoke with members about the agency's ongoing initiatives.

They also highlighted the significant benefits for senior Territorians in the 2024-25 Federal Budget.

These include:

• a $2.2 billion investment over 5 years aimed at enhancing the quality of aged care services
• implementing crucial reforms
• advancing recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Members were also briefed on recent developments under the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP) for the NT.

This includes:

• funding for 3 staff accommodation projects
• upgrades or expansions of 6 aged care facilities
• 8 projects for minor enhancements and equipment for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.