Elders’ elder announces retirement

Ian Yates has advocated on behalf of Australia’s older people for more than three decades. He has announced he is stepping down as chief executive of the Council on the Ageing.

Ian Yates Chief Executive COTA Australia (AAP Image/James Elsby)

A three-decade stalwart of advocacy for older Australians is stepping down from his key role.

Ian Yates, chief executive of the Council on the Ageing, will hand over the reins of COTA during the year as the organisation undergoes a transition.

Mr Yates became chief executive of COTA’s South Australian chapter in 1989, and took over the reins of the national organisation 20 years ago.

In that time he has overseen its involvement in advocating for the age pension increase by $30 per week in 2009, the 2012 Living Longer Living Better reforms of aged care, the Hands Off the Pension campaign in 2014, and the issue of superannuation reform.

Critically he was at the forefront of advocacy efforts in the shaping of the government’s budget response last year to the damning findings of the aged-care royal commission.

“Leading the peak national consumer policy and advocacy body for older Australians for two decades has been simultaneously a privilege and a challenge,” Mr Yates said.

“My commitment to the wellbeing of older Australians has not diminished in the least. I will continue my contribution in the other roles I have, such as chair of the Council of Elders, and in new ventures.”

COTA chairwoman Jane Halton said Mr Yates’ contribution to the welfare of older Australians had been immense. “It would be great if Ian could go on forever, but the real world is not like that, and Ian and the board have agreed that this year is the right time for the transition to a new chief executive,” Ms Halton said.

Older Persons Advocacy Network CEO Craig Gear said Mr Yates had been a “strong and consistent voice for older people over many decades”.

“Ian has been at the bedrock of aged-care reform in Australia. He’s contributed masses to my understanding of the sector and a vision of where aged care needs to go,” Mr Gear said.

“We’ll miss his wisdom and navigation of the policy space as COTA CEO, but look forward to his continuing contribution to reform as chair of the Council of Elders and to working alongside him on the National Aged Care Advisory Council.”

Mercer senior partner and pension expert David Knox said Mr Yates was a “knowledgeable advocate for the interests of consumers in the retirement income system and is well respected for such in government and the industry.”

COTA will undertake a global recruitment process to find the next chief executive.