Comment
Get on with it Minister!
Why is the Australian Federal Government trying to reinvent the wheel asks LICIA KOKOCINSKI, national policy director of ARPA Over 50s Association.
In July 1997 a draft national healthy ageing strategy was endorsed by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers at a meeting of state and federal Health and Community Services Ministers. The strategy was developed by the Healthy Ageing Talk Force – a committee of the Health and Community Services Ministerial Council.
In June 1998, an interim report was circulated emanating from the Conference for Older Australians, appointed by the then Minister for Family Services, Hon Warwick Smith and chaired by Senator Kay Patterson. Amongst other things, the report identified a number of key areas for initiatives to be undertaken during 1999 which could bring lasting results for older Australians in this the International Year of Older Persons. Consultations were held with 350 older people across Australia.
On 14 July 1998, Minister Smith wrote to many organisations advising them about an initiative to develop a national strategy for an ageing Australia. The strategy would take into account the ageing demographics in Australia and the various policy implications of these changes in society. The ministerial reference group was to involve various Ministers and Assistant Ministers to carry out the terms of reference. This committee was to consult with Senator Patterson’s committee, which had carried out so many public and grassroots consultations.
Then, on 3 May 1999, guess what hits the desk?
You guessed it – the new Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Bronwyn Bishop, following a request by the Prime Minister, has just announced the establishment of a ministerial reference group to take a "whole of Government approach" to develop a national strategy for an ageing Australia.
The same Ministers and Assistant Ministers as Minister Smith’s committee are on this new committee, except that a new Minister is chairing it.
The four themes that the Prime Minister wishes this ‘new’ ministerial reference group to look at are almost exactly the same as that of the old reference group established almost one year ago.
It is now six months into this International Year of Older Persons, and the ‘National Strategy’ that promised so much and which we should all support, is still a pipe dream.
Minister, get on with it!
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