Before the election on 18 May, both major parties have time to commit to raising the rates of Newstart Allowance and Rent Assistance. The rate of Newstart is woefully inadequate and has not been increased in real terms since 1994. It’s a big issue for older workers, who are too often excluded from the workforce […]
What will Victoria look like in 2031, 2041 or 2061? We need a vision now so we can deliver the best quality of life for our ageing population and our future selves. Across Australia the 5.5 million Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1965 are entering their 60s and 70s. In Victoria, currently 1.25 million
Australians are spending more time and money in the private rental system than ever before. The ongoing supply-side focus of policymakers often doesn’t consider the actual lived experiences of consumers. Consumer-centred innovation and policy reform is needed to ensure an effective, fair and inclusive rental market. Beyond affordability, housing must be fit-for-purpose and close to
We want to support the Victorian Government to continue to play a significant role in ensuring that older people, particularly those with complex needs or those experiencing significant disadvantage, are able to access the support and services they need within their communities. With significant recent policy reform, government and the community must reframe how we
We welcome Consumer Affairs Victoria’s (CAV) interest in improving internal dispute resolution processes in retirement villages, and believe that the reforms suggested will likely result in some improvement. However, we maintain that a root-and-branch review of retirement village regulation is needed. Without significant reform of retirement village regulation, as recommended by the Parliamentary Inquiry into
COTA Victoria commends the Victorian Government for its commitment to undertake a comprehensive evidence-based review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (RTA). We note the focus of this consultation and submission is to comment on key areas identified as potential legislative changes that could be made to the RTA. We strongly endorse a number of
A coalition of non-government organisations concerned about the increasing housing affordability crisis facing our ageing population have developed Homes for Life: Towards an older persons housing strategy. This roadmap brings together the key concerns of the major organisations assisting the most vulnerable older people in Victoria. It reflects the views expressed at the A Home
As an advocacy organisation COTA Victoria welcomes the opportunity to comment on Victoria’s Draft 30 Year Infrastructure Strategy. Preparation for population change needs more emphasis on the ageing of the population and the changes required across all areas of infrastructure, transport and housing to meet the World Health Organisations’ benchmarks for healthy ageing. We recommend
The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), Council on the Ageing Victoria (COTA), Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG), Justice Connect (Seniors Law) and Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria (RRVV), welcome the opportunity to contribute to the parliamentary inquiry into the retirement housing sector. Our respective organisations work both independently and jointly to further
