MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 22 October 2020
Queensland’s peak organisation for seniors is calling for the Queensland Government to ensure its policies and programs are age-inclusive and promote positive relationships between generations.
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland has put forward a suite of proposals for a more age-inclusive, equitable, and liveable Queensland including an integrated health system for all of life, a digital inclusion strategy, investment in liveable social and affordable housing and affordable and efficient approaches to energy.
“The next four years of Government are an opportunity for future policies to be inclusive of all of us.” said Mark Tucker-Evans, COTA Queensland’s Chief Executive.
“Queensland’s Care Army, established as a response to the COVID pandemic, demonstrated what can be achieved when generations pull together.”
“We want those positive connections to be the norm in Queensland.” Mr Tucker-Evans said.
“All our proposals are about bringing Queenslanders together and making sure everyone has what they need to thrive at any stage of life.”
Mr Tucker-Evans said that this is vitally important at a time when anxieties about the economy were pitting the generations against each other.
“It is too easy for us to make assumptions about each other and buy into stereotypes.”
“Ageism is widespread in our community. You don’t have to look too far to find ageist attitudes in politics, in the media and just in everyday conversations”
“That is why it is important for the Queensland Government to show leadership in combating ageism and bringing people of all ages together to build our future.”
Queenslanders have shown what we can accomplish when we work together.
COTA Queensland is also asking the Government to increase their support for activities and programs that promote interaction, friendship, and connections between people of all ages.
COTA Queensland’s “All ages in all policies” proposal is for the Government to involve diverse people of all ages in a formal process for making and reviewing policies and Government programs.
“We are excited to see what we can achieve if we join forces to make a better Queensland for people of all ages.”
