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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-06-09 Daily Xml
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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SENIORS

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:37): My question is to the Minister for Ageing. Can the minister please advise what initiatives the government has in place to increase support, accessibility and inclusion for South Australian seniors in the community?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (14:37): I am pleased to advise the house today of the arrival of our new Thinker in Residence, Dr Alexandre Kalache. Dr Kalache is a leading world authority on ageing. He pioneered 'active ageing' and directed the global movement—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: —on age-friendly cities at the World Health Organisation, an initiative across 35 countries. We are embracing both concepts in South Australia. The state government understands the importance of not only helping South Australians live longer but supporting them to live well as they age.

Dr Kalache's residency will not only help us adapt the World Health Organisation's age-friendly cities principles, but build on them to create a best practice model for other states and, we think, the world to follow. We are already well on the way to achieving this through our age-friendly environments and communities initiative, part of our dynamic state reform agenda.

This project will help achieve social inclusion, increase participation and employment opportunities, improve communication and information, community support and health services. It will also inform the design of age-friendly public spaces, buildings, transport and affordable and appropriate housing.

In South Australia we have already applied the age-friendly concept to the $130 million Woodville West redevelopment with a great deal of success. Woodville West has achieved a gold rating, reflecting its many and innovative features that will make living in the community easier for older people.

As Dr Kalache turns his age-friendly lens towards South Australia he will see that while we are keen to work harder, we are not starting from scratch. Since coming to office, our government has been listening to older people to identify and address issues they face. That is why during the last election we introduced policies to help older people remain in the workforce and continue to live safely in their own home with the supports they need.

The sum of $613,000 is now being spent to make working environments more inclusive for people who want to stay working, those wishing to re-enter the workforce and those wanting more flexibility. The sum of $3.1 million over four years is providing for 25,000 home visits to tackle social isolation and loneliness amongst our seniors, and to help connect them to services and support; while $2.9 million has been allocated to support around 2,400 people to receive a Personal Alert System rebate. The response to this scheme, since it began just weeks ago, has been extremely positive.

We are very fortunate to have Dr Kalache in South Australia and I take this opportunity to acknowledge the state government's partners in his residency: the Council on the Ageing Seniors' Voice; the Australian Centre for Social Innovation; Aged and Community Services (SA and NT); Helping Hand Aged Care; City of Unley; the universities of Adelaide and South Australia; and Flinders University. I know I speak on behalf of all my cabinet colleagues and the community when I say we look forward to working with Dr Kalache to increase accessibility and inclusion for older South Australians and to harness the opportunities our older population brings.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

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