A key milestone has been reached in the development of Western Australia’s first Seniors Strategy, with the formal consultation phase completed.
A comprehensive consultation program commenced in November 2021 and included online and multi-lingual post card surveys, online and face-to-face consultation sessions, phone consultations and public submissions.
Over 1000 online surveys were submitted, nearly 500 post card surveys were received and over 400 people took part in consultation sessions held across the State.
Consultation sessions were also held by peak organisations that assist vulnerable groups including GRAI – GLBTI Rights in Ageing and the Ethnic Communities Council of WA.
A series of targeted consultation sessions will continue to be held in the coming months to further strengthen the voice of older Aboriginal Western Australians in the strategy’s development.
The WA Seniors Strategy 2023-2033 (the Strategy) will set out the State Government’s ten-year plan to support older people by harnessing opportunities to improve the lives of older Western Australians and addressing the challenges of the State’s ageing population.
The Strategy will in turn be supported by ‘action plans’ that connect and coordinate activity across WA agencies, focused on ensuring systems and services are responsive to older people’s needs.
As stated by Seniors and Ageing Minister Don Punch:
“The ‘big picture’ of the WA Seniors Strategy 2023-2033 is making Western Australia a place where older people can age actively, healthily and in the way of their choosing.
“An enormous amount of consultation has now occurred across the State with seniors and pre-seniors, community services providers, peak bodies, State Government agencies, local government and other key stakeholders, identifying emerging issues that will be critical to the Strategy’s development.
“I look forward to seeing the WA Seniors Strategy 2023-2033 develop into a contemporary and functional ten-year plan that supports our seniors to live the best life of their choosing.”
