According to the ACT government, the plan “celebrates older Canberrans and their diversity of experience and knowledge” with initiatives to be implemented over the next four years.

A statement outlining the Age-Friendly City Plan has highlighted a focus on “practical achievements that address the barriers older Canberrans have said they face in living free from abuse, staying mobile, remaining socially connected and having good access to services”.

As well as introducing legislation that makes elder abuse a criminal offence and preparing strategies to support the mental health and wellbeing of older Canberrans, the plan will see a campaign piloted to encourage local businesses to provide older residents with employment opportunities.

According to Gordon Ramsay, the minister for seniors and veterans, the “implementation of actions under this plan rely on collaboration across the ACT government, with our Commonwealth and state and territory counterparts, and with the community sector to achieve wide-ranging and holistic reforms”.

“Older members of our community are an asset for our city, we can all learn from their knowledge and experience,” he said.

“They make enormous contributions to our society through caring for family and friends, volunteering, advisory roles and broader community participation.”

Recognising that this is a challenging time for all in our community, the minister considered it a “particularly difficult time for our older Canberrans”.

“With that in mind, it is of the upmost importance that we lay the foundations and principles which will guide decision making to ensure better outcomes for our elderly.”

The minister flagged that the ACT has also initiated the Seniors Ministers Roundtable, with representatives from the Commonwealth and states and territories to be in attendance at the first roundtable.