In the 2012-13 Budget, the Government announced funding of $4.7 million over four years to establish a new ongoing Advisory Panel on Positive Ageing.

The role of the Advisory Panel on Positive Ageing is to lead a national dialogue on ageing issues, improve coordination of policy design across portfolios, and work with the Government on implementation and design of ageing policy, including in response to the recommendations of the Advisory Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians. The Panel will also conduct targeted consultations on relevant issues.

Housing Roundtable-11 December 2012

On 11 December, the Panel invited housing industry representatives, including residential and retirement village developers, builders associations, National Housing Supply Council, and not-for-profits to discuss affordable and age-friendly housing.  This discussion was wide ranging and looked at meeting the housing needs of older Australians into the future, noting that the availability of appropriate and affordable housing is critical to older Australians’ wellbeing.

The Roundtable discussion was robust and constructive, with agreement between participants on the key areas where action is needed.  Participants agreed that more affordable rental housing is required, given the increasing number of older Australians who are renting. Other themes to emerge from the housing roundtable include the need for more housing stock with universal design principles to cater to senior Australians and the need to remove supply side barriers, particularly those that prevent the implementation of innovative solutions that increase the housing stock.   The Panel will draw on the conclusions from the Roundtable in advising the government on housing issues for older Australians.