Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Polley, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) 15 June 2018 was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day,

  (ii) World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a global awareness day highlighting one of the most serious and silent forms of domestic violence, which is elder abuse,

  (iii) elder abuse is one of the worst manifestations of ageism in our society and can be physical, sexual, financial, psychological, social or neglectful,

  (iv) elder abuse continues to be primarily perpetrated by someone trusted, such as family or friends, and

  (v) elder abuse is everyone's business and deserves the attention of everyone in the community;

(b) urges federal, state, territory and local governments to raise awareness and to create communities where older people can live with dignity and respect, free from all forms of abuse; and

(c) encourages all Australians to turn awareness into action, watch out for signs, offer help and stand against any mistreatment of older people.

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

Preventing and addressing elder abuse is a key priority for the coalition government. The government has committed $37 million to preventing elder abuse, including for the development of a national plan, an elder abuse knowledge hub and specialist frontline services. The government has also set aside funding to work with the states to create nationally consistent power-of-attorney laws and establish a national online register. The government will also provide $254 million over four years to establish a new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. The commission will be responsible for the approval, accreditation, assessment, monitoring, compliance and complaints management for all Australian government subsidised aged-care providers.

Question agreed to.