Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) the release of the Australian Law Reform Commission Report on elder abuse which coincided with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June 2017,

(ii) that World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a global awareness day which promotes dignity and respect for older people, and recognises the contribution older people make socially and economically,

(iii) that elder abuse is a form of domestic violence and can be physical, sexual, financial, psychological, social or neglectful, and usually occurs at the hands of someone trusted, such as family or friends, and

(iv) that the Law Reform Commission Report on elder abuse focusses on financial exploitation, which continues to be the most common form of abuse experienced by elderly people;

(b) urges federal, state, territory and local governments to raise awareness of and take action against the mistreatment of older people in Australia; and

(c) urges the Turnbull Government to respond immediately to the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission report on elder abuse.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government welcomes the Australian Law Reform Commission's report. This foundation report was commissioned by the Attorney-General in 2013. Later that year, the coalition became the first major party to go to an election with a specific commitment to take action against elder abuse. Elder abuse may be physical, financial, psychological, sexual or social, and it includes neglect. It often occurs in circumstances in which people are reluctant to report it. It is therefore vital to raise public awareness of elder abuse and options to respond to it. The government supports the motion and welcomes the support of the opposition.

Question agreed to.