The State Government has backed the majority of recommendations included in the Final Report of the Select Committee into Elder Abuse.
Many of the report’s findings align with work already being undertaken by the McGowan Government – including improved community education and awareness, more support for police, and greater partnerships with the health and financial sectors to prevent elder abuse.
The State Government is considering a range of initiatives which will result in a better system to protect vulnerable older people from abuse.
There is also agreement in recognising the unique challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the need for policy to reflect this.
The State Government has acknowledged the importance of the police’s role in elder abuse prevention, in line with initiatives already being undertaken by WA Police.
There is support for greater interaction with the financial and health sectors to ensure instances of elder abuse can be better identified and prevented.
The State Government has indicated support for better cross-government data collection to gain a greater understanding of the prevalence of elder abuse and how to prevent it.
Only one of the report’s recommendations, which called for a State register of enduring powers of attorney, was rejected. The Federal Government is developing a comprehensive national register for enduring powers of attorney, and this is the State Government’s preferred approach.
The McGowan Government has the lead role among the States and Territories in developing the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Plan on Elder Abuse, and continues to work alongside the Federal Government on its development.
As stated by Seniors and Ageing Minister Mick Murray:
“I welcome the Final Report of the Select Committee into Elder Abuse. Many of its findings confirm the importance of work already underway by the McGowan Government.
“Community education and awareness is very important, police need to continue to be engaged, and the health and financial sectors need to be empowered to identify potential elder abuse.
“The State Government is continuing to develop initiatives, as we work in our leading role alongside the Commonwealth Government on the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Plan to address elder abuse.”
