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ACT Older Persons Assembly
On 17 November 2010 ACT Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to hear and understand the key issues that affect the lives of older people and encourage them to participate in policy development by holding an Older Persons Assembly.
The Older Persons Assembly was held on
30 September 2011 on the eve of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons.
The ACT Older Persons Assembly was the first of its kind for Australia and was a unique opportunity for older Canberrans from across ACT electorates to raise issues and propose solutions for the future.
All ACT residents aged 55 years and over were invited to nominate. One-hundred and seventy nominations were received.
An assessment panel selected the delegates to ensure a broad cross-section of ACT older citizens was represented, with two-thirds of the places being allocated to individuals and one third to representatives from older persons’ organisations. 70 Canberrans attended the Older Persons Assembly.
Delegates attended a briefing session on
19 September 2011 to receive background information on discussion topics and to gain an overview of the day’s proceedings.
The ACT Older Persons Assembly program was chaired by the Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly, Mr Shane Rattenbury MLA, and included speeches by the Minister for Ageing, Ms Joy Burch MLA. Keynote speakers included the author Mr Bryce Courtenay AM and the Chief Minister, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA. 
Delegates had the opportunity to participate in solution-focused discussions through committee hearings that were held in the morning and afternoon. Individual hearings were chaired by members of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing, with support from staff from the Community Services Directorate.
Topics discussed reflected those identified by candidates through the nomination process and the seven themes of the ACT Strategic Plan for Positive Ageing 2010-2014: Towards an Age-Friendly City, including Information and Communication; Health and Wellbeing; Respect, Valuing and Safety; Housing and Accommodation; Support Services; Transport and Mobility; Work and Retirement. Delegates also discussed innovation and new ideas.
Three key priorities were identified from each hearing and reported back to all delegates as motions in the Assembly Chamber by the Committee Chairs. Delegates voted on the motions through a ballot process. As a result of the voting process, 24 recommendations were made to Government. A Government response to these recommendations has been prepared and is included in the Report on the Older Persons Assembly.
Report on the 2011 ACT Older Persons Assembly and ACT Government Response [PDF 583KB]
Report on the 2011 ACT Older Persons Assembly and ACT Government Response [WORD 483KB]
Outcomes of the Older Persons Assembly will guide development of the 2012-2014 Action Plan for the Strategic Plan for Positive Ageing.
