Call to Attorney-General to harmonize Power of Attorney

The financial abuse of older people is an insidious and growing social problem. It affects some of the most isolated and vulnerable members of our community leaving them not just without adequate finances, but without a home or a safe place to live.

Almost 9 out of 10 Australians want their Governments to do more to help prevent the financial abuse of older people. The forthcoming Council of Attorneys-General meeting on Friday November 29 is an opportunity to address the harmonisation of Power of Attorney Orders empowering older people to work with family and frontline staff to prevent and avoid risks of abuse.

In 2017, the Australian Law Reform Commission recommended that nationally consistent laws governing enduring Powers of Attorney be adopted. The same report also recommended a national register be established after agreement on national consistency was in place. Now, more than two years later, it is time to take action.

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