SUPPORTING OLDER TASMANIANS TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR COMMUNITY

Nic Street MP, Minister for Community Services and Development

The 2022-23 Tasmanian Budget is about strengthening Tasmania’s future, as we want our state to be the best place to live, work, invest as well as a place we can be part of a family and community, as we grow older.

That’s why the Budget includes an investment of $1.245 million to support older Tasmanians to participate and connect with their community.

Building on the success of our Strong Liveable Communities: Tasmania’s Active Ageing Plan 2017-2022, this funding will help deliver our new, comprehensive whole-of-government 2023-29 Tasmanian Active Ageing Strategy.

The strategy will continue supporting older Tasmanians, and the Council of the Ageing Tasmania (COTA) is currently funded to review the plan with community consultations running until July this year.

As a Government with heart, this funding also ensures COTA Tasmania can continue to plan for and deliver its annual Seniors Week events, which are so important for our community.

By promoting healthy and positive ageing, and building connections between older Tasmanians and their community, our funding of these events provides an opportunity for older people to have an active and social week, to try new things and meet new people.

Funding of $80,000 over two years is also provided for in the Budget to support COTA Tasmania to promote and support workplaces to recruit and retain older workers, acknowledging their skill base and experience.

We want to provide opportunities for economic as well as social participation in our communities and raise awareness of age discrimination. We also know that improving digital literacy among older Tasmanians is a really important part of this.

As Tasmania and Australia’s population profile ages, harnessing the skills of older people will be crucial to accessing the skills and labour required to maintain a high functioning economy.

It is through maintaining a robust economy that the Tasmanian Liberal Government can create more opportunities for Tasmanians in every corner of our State, to build thriving, connected communities.