The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to upholding the rights of older Tasmanians to live without exploitation, abuse or fear.
Tomorrow, 15 June 2017, is the 12th anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2006.
This Government recognises and acknowledges the vital contribution older Tasmanians make towards the social and economic well-being of Tasmania, which is why the 2017-18 State Budget supports our ageing community by extending our commitment to the Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy, providing a further $150,000 over and above recurrent funding.
In partnership with the Council on the Ageing and Advocacy Tasmania (COTA) the Hodgman Liberal Government is working to raise community awareness, deliver information and training, and provide services to support and advocate for older persons.
With the Budget back in balance, the Hodgman Liberal Government is spending over $1.25 million between 2014-15 through to 2017-18, with almost $300,000 in 2017-18 alone, on the Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy: Protecting Older Tasmanians from Abuse, the Elder Abuse Helpline, the Elder Abuse is Not Okay Campaign and Elder Abuse Prevention strategies through COTA.
This is in addition to $346,000 to support Tasmanian seniors, including COTA, Seniors Week and to kick-start Tasmania’s new Active Ageing Plan.
Through the Elder Abuse Prevention funding we provide:
A number of community events will be held around the State to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, including a public awareness walk from the Westella Building on Elizabeth Street at 1:45 pm tomorrow, Thursday 15 June.