Advisory Council for Senior Territorians - Communique 22-23 September 2023

The final Minister’s Advisory Council for Senior Territorians (the Council) meeting for 2023 was convened in Alice Springs 22-23 September 2023, enabling members to better understand issues experienced by seniors in Central Australia.

The agenda included opportunities for engagement with members of the Youth Round Table.

Collaboration with the Youth Round Table

The Youth Round Table joined Council members to participate in joint sessions facilitated by Mr Adam Drake of Balanced Choice. The sessions were designed to create greater connectedness between the 2 groups.

Commonalities between members that became apparent included:

• a desire to increase and foster community connectivity and to work on bringing communities together
• wanting to be able to make an impact on the community and see positive outcomes
• challenging stereotypes and cultivating trust between generations
• fostering courage and self-esteem in people
• climate change – concern for future generations
• challenges for the community such as community safety, domestic violence and inequality of provision of services and education
• investigation of practical and supportive solutions to crime in the community.

The main theme emerging from discussions was that this was just the beginning and there was a genuine desire by all to continue connecting the 2 groups on a regular basis. The benefits to be had from the 2 cohorts regularly discussing issues and potential ways forward include:

• the challenging of stereotypes
• sharing of stories and experiences
• two-way mentoring
• intergenerational perspectives on issues impacting our communities
• leaning in and learning from each other.

The Hon Lauren Moss MLA, Minister for Youth and the Minister for Seniors, thanked both parties for their participation in the joint sessions, describing the interaction as a positive experience.

The Minister advised that she supported continued networking between the 2 groups, enabling collective presentation of issues to herself and the Northern Territory Government. Minister Moss encouraged members to also continue to maintain networks in the community, using these as a resource for change.

Presentations and site visits

The Council welcomed information provided by presenters which included the:

• Alice Springs Town Council
• Australian Regional and Remote Community Services
• Alice Springs Senior Citizens Association
• Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group’s Domestic and Family Violence Prevention, Advocacy and Support Program.

The Council also visited the Old Timers Village to share lunch with residents and staff and many members spoke with individual clients present in the dining room.

Overall, presentations and discussions centred around:

• aged care options
• safety and security of seniors in the community
• local services available
• the role of Indigenous elders in the prevention and support of domestic and family violence.

Progress on the establishment of working groups

Progress was made on the development of terms of references for the 4 working groups which have been established by the Council.

Established working groups include:

• Housing
• Community Safety and Elder Abuse
• Concessions
• Aged Care Workforce.

Members have agreed to progress research and engagement activity out of session prior to the first meeting of 2024.

Transport subsidy scheme

The Council heard of reports of difficulties being faced by senior Territorians using the Transport Subsidy Scheme smartcards. Further research will be conducted into the claims before determining a proposed course of action.

Energy costs

The Council has also been responding to concerns raised within the community regarding the installation of PowerSmart meters. They will be advocating through the Minister for Seniors for the creation of a Jacana Energy Consumer Committee to enable the service to address concerns raised by the community.

The Council expressed its gratitude to the Minister for Seniors for enabling the convening of the meeting in Alice Springs and encouraging the collaboration with the Youth Round Table.