News
News items from COTA (ACT) appear here before they can ever get to our newsletter. Check back here regularly for updates.
Seniors Card Directory
We are seeking entries from local & interstate businesses to advertise in our Seniors Card Directory. Seniors Cards are held by residents of the ACT who are not working more than 20 hours a week and have had their 60th birthday. Businesses advertising in the Directory would offer discounts to Senior Card Holders, this could include 10% of goods & services or two for one deals on accommodation for example.
If your business or any business you know would like to advertise or have an entry in the Seniors Card Directory, call COTA (ACT) for a business pack to be sent out.
Road Safety for Older People website revised.
The Livedrive website was first released in 2004. We have recently re-vamped the website to make it easier to read. The site contains a wealth of road safety information for older people in the ACT. The information is not limited to driving but includes information for ALL road users. There are many myths about road safety and older people. Young people often believe older people are a hazard on the road – wrong! Older people often assume they are safer on the road than younger people – also wrong! The truth is much more complex. Visit the site to discover important information that may impact on your safety on the road.
Vehicle Immobiliser Scheme Extended.
In a jointly sponsored initiative with the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, the ACT Government has introduced a programme to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle theft in the ACT.
This initiative recognises that the majority of stolen vehicles are older vehicles, not fitted with immobilisation technology. The solution is to offer owners of such vehicles, a FREE vehicle immobiliser and have it fitted, at no charge, by an approved and licensed installer.
This programme was initially offered to recipients of Centrelink benefits which include aged and carers pensions, invalidity and single parent benefits, Austudy and Abstudy. This part of the Programme will continue, however as from 1st July 2008, the Programme is being widened to all members of the ACT public who will be able to apply for a vehicle immobiliser at a SUBSIDISED price of $100.00. This may be fitted by one of a number of installers spread over the ACT.
Potential applicants may check their eligibility by ringing Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
Fair Go for Pensioners.
The Fair Go for Pensioners Coalition was established in 2007 and has grown from a grass roots movement of ethnic senior citizens clubs and now includes retired union member organisations, church and community groups and Council on the Ageing Victoria. The Coalition is concerned about addressing the increasing levels of poverty among our age pensioner population, and particularly those on full pensions. It has developed a log of claims around a significantly improved federal age pension level and increased state based concessions.
The Coalition advocates for an improved age pension given that pensioners have suffered rises in the real cost of living due to the things pensioners generally spend money on rising at a much higher level than the CPI. Members are also concerned that federal government has delivered billion dollar tax cuts to wealthier Australians but have not implemented a real rise in the pension level for decades. Pensioners have experienced a real decline in their already paltry income levels despite over a decade of economic growth in Australia.
The Rudd Government has announced a review of Taxation and Pensions to be completed in 2009. COTA(ACT) is keen to gather local support to develop ACT input to the review. With this in mind we envisage a survey of older people in the ACT. We are keen to identify both Age Pensioners and self funded retirees who are willing to assist by completing a questionnaire. If you would like to have your say, phone the COTA office on 6282 3777 or email us at contact@cota-act.org.au
Upcoming Events
Seniors Week 2009 (15 – 22 March 2009)
Seniors Week will be held from the 15th to the 22nd of March in 2009. Events to look forward to:
- 16th March, Chief Ministers Breakfast, Ainslie Function Centre, Ainslie Football Club.
- 18th March, Chief Ministers Seniors Concerts, The Auditorium, Vikings football club, Erindale.
- 19th March, Seniors Day
- 20th March, The Great Debate, Old Parliament House
2009 Seniors Week Event Registration Form
Expression of interest to participate in Seniors Day 19/3/2009