Will NSW Be Age-Friendly in the Future?
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: On this day when former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam entered a nursing home, I ask the Hon. Eric Roozendaal, on behalf of the Hon. Linda Burney, Minister for the State Plan, and Minister for Community Services, the following question without notice. Is the Minister aware that the number of people over the age of 65 will double in the next 40 years and that there are twice as many women as men in the over 85-year-old population, meaning that public environments need to be planned ahead of time for the known needs of elderly women? Is the Minister aware of the aspects of planning that can make an environment age friendly, including appropriate infrastructure to support mobility, enough seats in public places to offer rest, enough public restrooms, sufficient transport, and being encouraged to age at home near established friends, doctors and shops— [Time expired.]
The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I have always been a firm admirer of Gough Whitlam. I have met with him on many occasions and we have had a number of discussions over the years. I am always pleased to see he is still around, contributing to society and he remains forthright in expressing his views to the world. He is one of the great political icons of Australia and, of course, one of the great political heroes of the Australian Labor Party. It should be acknowledged that his contribution to the Australian community has been important and valuable. In relation to the rest of the member’s question, which was long and detailed, I will take that on notice and get a response from the Minister.
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: I ask a supplementary question. What action is the Government taking to plan for the provision of all aspects of age friendly environments in this State?
The Hon. ERIC ROOZENDAAL: I will take that question on notice also.
The Hon. PETER PRIMROSE: On 19 May 2010 Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked a question without notice of the Treasurer regarding the growing aged population and what action the New South Wales Government is taking to actively plan for demographic change to create age-friendly environments. I provide the following response.
I am aware that the number of people over the age of 65 years will double in the next 40 years. That is a great result showing that people are living longer and healthier lives. In the next decade it is projected that New South Wales will have more people over 65 than people aged 15 years or less. I am also aware that there will be more women than men aged 85 and over in the next 40 years. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women have a longer life expectancy than men and, therefore, outnumber men in the older age groups. By 2041 women are expected to represent 56 per cent of the population 65 years and over and 67 per cent of people aged 85 years and over.
The Home and Community Care Program, which is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments, supports frail older people and people with a disability to remain in their own homes and communities. In addition to the provision of services, in recognition of the ageing population the New South Wales Government launched its ageing strategy “Towards 2030: Planning for our changing population” in April 2008. The Towards 2030 strategy is a five-year, whole-of-government strategy to ensure that we are well positioned to meet the opportunities and challenges that an ageing population presents. The goal of Towards 2030 is to create a more age-friendly society that is able to respond effectively to population ageing.