You’ve got Friends in high places

Board members and senior staff of National Seniors Australia have taken their advocacy on your behalf direct to Parliament House.

The Parliamentary Friends of Seniors is a nonpartisan group of MPs and Senators, co-chaired by Rebekha Sharkie MP, Federal Member for Mayo; the Honourable Bob Katter MP, Federal Member for Kennedy; the Honourable Richard Colbeck, Senator for Tasmania; and Dr Mike Freelander MP, Federal Member for Macarthur.

The meeting, on 29 February, was also attended by the Honourable Bill Shorten, the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Federal Member for Maribyrnong; Shayne Neumann, Federal Member for Blair; and the Honourable Milton Dick, Member for Oxley and Speaker of the House of Representatives, who also made the meeting space available. 

Everald Compton, the founding Chair of National Seniors, also attended and spoke at the gathering.

As guests of the Friends, National Seniors Chair Ross Glossop and CEO Chris Grice spoke about NSA’s work involving issues ranging from aged and health care to the Age Pension, retirement income, age discrimination, mature-age employment, housing, energy, and social inclusion.

In his speech, Mr Grice noted how Australia’s population was ageing and would continue to do so over the next 40 years.

“The number of Australians aged 65 and older will more than double and the number aged 85 and older will more than triple,” he said. “While these factors could be seen as problematic, they could also be seen as opportunities if we make the most of older people’s potential capacity and contribution.”

Mr Grice said older people contribute to our society economically, socially, physically, and emotionally.

“Yet, for many older Australians, rather than approach retirement with confidence and optimism, they approach it with uncertainty and pessimism.

“Rightly so, they’re concerned about outliving their savings (if they have them), about living well enough to stay out of residential aged care, receiving sub-standard care if they don’t, and leaving a positive legacy for future generations.”

He said these concerns and challenges “can be addressed only if parliamentarians, governments, industry, and the broader community work together”.

“Timely and considered action, together with informed and considered policies are critical to protect the changing needs of older Australians, and to promote their contributions – and this is why the Parliamentary Friends of Seniors is so important.”

Mr Grice used the Canberra gathering to draw attention to National Seniors’ 2024 Federal Pre-Budget Submission, which “puts forward recommendations around cost of living, housing and health that provide direct relief coupled with longer-term policy reform to ensure we maintain our standard of living”.

He also introduced the Productive Ageing Institute – a website designed for parliamentarians and their staff to access evidence-based research and insights to help inform them in decision making and policy priorities.

“Drawing from 16 years of NSA research, the website includes key statistics, survey insights and policy submissions – all of which are at your fingertips,” he said.

Last, but not least, he launched the Everald Compton Community Champion Medal, which has been established to acknowledge the unsung heroes among older Australians.

“The medal honours NSA’s Founding Father’s outstanding contribution to the Australian community while celebrating everyday champions whose grassroot experiences and selfless contributions make a significant difference in their communities,” Mr Grice said.

“It also reflects NSA’s values of fairness, excellence, and respect exemplified by Everald’s own experience and achievements.”

Nominations for the medal will open in May, with details available on the NSA website and social media closer to then.