Thursday 20 November 2015

Hansard of the Legislative Council

Ageing Population - Fraud and Financial Manipulation

Mr FINCH Question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Dr GOODWIN

There are some concerns that with our ageing population, more older people could be vulnerable to fraud and financial manipulation. If so, what investigations have been done and what measures are the Government considering to tackle this problem?

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the honourable member for Rosevears for his question and also for recently arranging a meeting in Launceston with some of his constituents who discussed with me the issue of financial abuse, which is one form of elder abuse.

The state Government acknowledges the devastating impact elder abuse, in its various forms, can have on the older person involved and also their family and friends. The current Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy is for the period 2011-14. It is currently being reviewed and the findings of the evaluation will inform the development of a new strategy scheduled to be developed in the first part of 2015.

Last year legislation was passed which strengthened powers under the Guardianship and Administration Act and the Powers of Attorney Act. These acts provide for the appointment of a substitute decision-maker in the event that a person loses capacity to make his or her own decisions. Further legislative changes may be considered as part of the consultation and development of a renewed strategy in 2015. As part of the consultation and development of a renewed strategy in 2015, we will determine the best means of safeguarding older people and upholding and protecting their rights.