Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) welcome the new Victorian cabinet under Premier Jacinta Allan.
COTA Victoria and SRV offer a special round of congratulations to the Hon Ingrid Stitt MP on her appointment as Minister for Ageing. We look forward to providing the minister with further insights on issues facing the 2.3 million Victorians aged over 50, including health, infrastructure, housing, ageism, social isolation, elder abuse, and more.
“We’re particularly excited to see the importance of ageing reflected within its own portfolio under Minister Stitt,” said COTA Victoria and SRV CEO, Chris Potaris. “This couldn’t come at a better time, alongside a reinvigorated emphasis on housing, which is one of the biggest issues facing older Victorians today.
“This announcement has come during the 2023 Victorian Seniors Festival,” Mr Potaris continued, “which is quite fitting as the state gathers to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions that older Victorians make for our greater good each and every day.”
Mr Potaris welcomed Premier Allan last month, also acknowledging Daniel Andrews’ retirement and thanking him for his years of service to Victoria.
“With the Premier’s long-term experience and stewardship of transport and infrastructure in the state, we know she is attuned to the unique issues that impact older Victorians,” Mr Potaris said at the time. “This is important within the context of the many changes that we will continue to see in this state under her leadership.”
COTA Victoria and SRV would also like to thank the Hon Lizzie Blandthorn MP for her service as she hands over the Ageing portfolio to Minister Stitt, and extend our congratulations on her appointment as Minister for Children. We look forward to continuing our work with Minister Blandthorn in her role as Minister for Disability.
“We are acutely conscious of the strong cross-over between disability and ageing issues,” said Mr Potaris, “with people aged 65 years and over making up some 45% of Australians living with a disability.”
We look forward to working with the ministers, the Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing, and the larger Victorian government to continue to protect the rights of, and promote opportunities for, older Victorians.
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Further information
Steve Wright
Marketing and Communications Manager
Telephone: +61 3 9655 2159
Email: swright@cotavic.org.au
About us
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the interests and rights of people aged over 50 in Victoria. For over 70 years, we have led government, corporate and community thinking about the positive aspects of ageing in the state.
Today, our focus is on promoting opportunities for and protecting the legal rights of people 50+. We value ageing and embrace its opportunities for personal growth, contribution, and self-expression. This belief drives benefits to the nation and its states alongside communities, families, and individuals.
Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) is the key state-wide service dedicated to advancing the rights of older people and the early intervention into, or prevention of, elder abuse in our community.
SRV has a team of experienced advocates, lawyers, and social workers who provide free information, advice, referral, legal advice, legal casework, and support to older people who are either at risk of or are experiencing elder abuse. SRV supports and empowers older people through the provision of legal advice directly to the older person.
