Australia’s ageing population has implications for everyone in society and the debate should focus on the many positive aspects of growing older, Minister for Ageing Julie Bishop said today in Canberra at the launch of the Over 50s Alliance of the Council on the Ageing.
Australia’s ageing population has implications for everyone in society and the debate should focus on the many positive aspects of growing older, Minister for Ageing Julie Bishop said today in Canberra at the launch of the Over 50s Alliance of the Council on the Ageing.
« An ageing population will yield untold benefits to society, with people living longer and healthier lives, it means there will be more time to work, to save, to volunteer, to care, to be a source of wisdom and experience – a longer time to contribute, » she said.
Ms Bishop said the launch of the new COTA Over 50s Alliance was a « significant moment » for Australia’s older people, as the alliance aims to represent 500,000 older people.
« The new alliance is to be congratulated for initiatives such as membership services and benefits including insurance, home equity loans, travel insurance and retirement planning programs, » she said.
« We are moving towards a future where older Australians will have different needs and expectations. With the advent of the Baby Boomers as the next generation of older people, old age will be characterised by different values and aspirations, needs, services, cultures and recreational activity.
« The new society will be one that is demographically older – with 30 per cent of Australians now aged over 50. By 2051, that will rise to 46 per cent of the population. »
Ms Bishop said building partnerships with organisations such as this new alliance assists government in realising our vision of a society which can better meet the individual needs and choices of older Australians, and where everyone has the opportunity to age with dignity and purpose.
« This is a vision the Australian Government hopes to build with the new COTA Over 50s Alliance and many other like-minded organisations. »