CLP vows to enhance Territorian seniors’ quality of life in new five-pronged policy

Senior Territorians will be “provided certainty” and better quality of life if the CLP takes government, according to the party.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro. CLP has released its policy for seniors Picture: Che Chorley

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SENIOR Territorians will be “provided certainty” and better quality of life if the CLP takes government, according to the party.

The CLP will today unveil its five-pronged seniors strategy which will focus on providing certainty on benefits via retaining the NT Concession Scheme and improving the Seniors Recognition Scheme and providing “senior friendly communities” through sport education and training and funding Senior Month grants.

The CLP would also “bridge the digital divide” by providing grants to community organisations to run technology courses.

Senior health and safety would also be enhanced by developing a framework to reduce elder abuse and support victims.

The policy also states the CLP will work with its Federal counterparts to adjust the Commonwealth Rental Assistance Scheme to reflect the high cost of rent in some areas.

CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro said the needs of seniors in planning and policy going forward should be a focus considering the NT has the fastest growing population of seniors above 65.

“There are unique challenges to retiring and living as a senior in the Territory, like being long distances from family and friends,” she said.

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Australian Bureau of Statistics data in 2019 found the population of Territorians aged above 65 had grown 4.9 per cent since 1999.