As the Seniors Peak Service, COTA Queensland has a responsibility of connecting sector stakeholders and government. To launch this process, COTA Queensland convened a workshop of service providers, older persons’ organisations and government representatives to discuss its new role and to understand the sector’s expectations.
Clearly articulated was the sector’s desire for COTA Queensland to be an active and well-informed communicator and facilitate improved service delivery and policy. The following key themes were communicated:
1. COTA is seen as a connector between the sector and the government, and must:
- build and maintain intra-sectoral relationships
- continually gather, synthesise and provide easy access to current information and prioritised issues.
2. To be the strong and active voice of the sector, COTA Queensland should:
maximise the use of its own and sector resources through innovative communication inform the Government of emergent issues and advance the interests of service providers in the development of policy.
3. COTA can support the sector to more effectively tackle issues faced by Queensland’s seniors, including:
- Health: a lack of awareness of issues, availability of assistance and entitlements
- Housing: ‘Ageing in Place’ and the disconnect between housing developers and end-users
- Transport: affordability, availability, reliability and lack of coordination between transport service providers
- Cost of living: the sensitivity of income streams to external pressure and lack of impartial financial advice
- Mature-aged employment: the challenge of using policy to align employee and employer interests.
COTA Queensland will be holding its next workshop on Wednesday, 4 June in Townsville.
Expectations are high of another lively gathering as North Queensland’s specific issues and concerns are highlighted.
