Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) are proud to announce their participation in the new Senior Victorians Advisory Committee, and will continue their work to ensure Victoria remains a place where older people can age well.
As announced today by the Victorian Government Minister for Ageing, Ingrid Stitt, the committee is comprised of eight members of the community alongside four sector bodies, and has been established to provide a voice to the government on the lived experiences of older Victorians.
“We take great pride – and understand the responsibility – in being the only sector body in this committee wholly dedicated to older Victorians,” said COTA Victoria and SRV CEO, Ben Rogers.
“As the peak body representing older people in this state, we will use this platform to continue advocating so that older Victorians are properly represented in government thinking. A key part of this will be to address elder abuse, a pernicious form of family violence which affects older people.”
Other sector bodies in the committee include the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV), the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), and Switchboard. Associate Professor Sue Harrison OAM will serve as Chairperson of the committee.
“The committee’s sole purpose is to stand up for the rights and interests of older Victorians and help us to age well,” Mr Rogers continued. “We intend to hit the ground running, putting older Victorians front of mind and supporting government to deliver tangible policy outcomes that benefit them.
“We already work with the ECCV and MAV on a regular basis, and are delighted to continue collaboration as part of the committee,” Mr Rogers continued.
“We’re also enthusiastic to work hand-in-hand with Switchboard and the committee’s eight community members to ensure we present an informed, diverse, and truly representative voice to government.
“This committee will be crucial in ensuring we deliver on the full potential of ageing well in Victoria, now and into the future,” said Mr Rogers.
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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 member 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 a program of COTA Victoria and 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.