Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA) welcomes the appointment of Sam Rae as Australia’s first Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, a Cabinet-level role that marks a long-overdue shift in how older Australians are represented in government.
“This appointment acknowledges what advocates including EAAA have been saying for years - older people’s needs go well beyond aged care,” said Bev Lange, EAAA's Executive Officer. “From housing and income security to legal protections and safety from abuse, older Australians deserve coordinated, whole-of-government responses. The creation of a dedicated ministry is a major step forward.”
EAAA has long called for a minister for older people, noting the increasing significance of an ageing population and the need for leadership that extends beyond health and aged care systems. Minister Rae’s appointment answers that call in part and offers a new opportunity to raise the profile of older people’s issues across portfolios.
The ministerial reshuffle also saw Mark Butler reappointed as Minister for Health and Ageing, with the word 'Ageing' replacing 'Aged Care' in the health portfolio.
EAAA Board Co-Chairs Sue Leitch and Diedre Timms acknowledged that this change had been requested for some time and trusted that this reflected a more hopeful future for older Australians: “These changes, in both language and leadership, send a message that older people matter. We look forward to working with Minister Rae and Minister Butler to ensure the voices, rights, and safety of older people are at the centre of policy and reform.”
EAAA hopes that this change signals a broader focus and recognition that ageing is a lifelong process, not just a service category.
Download this media release.
A national voice to end elder abuse
1800 960 026 | info@eaaa.org.au
PO Box 5113, Empire Bay, NSW 2257 Australia.
ABN 58 625 915 835
