Consultation draft of the National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People 2024-2034

Closes 17 Feb 2025

Opened 12 Dec 2024

Contact

(02) 6141 6799

nationalplan@ag.gov.au

Overview

All Australian governments are committed to promoting the dignity, security and autonomy of older Australians. This includes preventing the abuse and mistreatment of older people in all its forms – whether it be physical, psychological, sexual, financial, or another form of mistreatment or neglect. It also includes taking positive steps to promote the rights of older people.

This consultation focuses on the draft National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People 2024-2034. The development of the draft National Plan was informed by:

  • the independent evaluation of the first National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019-2023
  • the findings of a national consultation process undertaken by Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA).

The draft National Plan consists of:

  • a 10-year term, which will be underpinned by two 5-year action plans
  • an ambitious vision framed in terms of ending (rather than responding to) elder abuse, consistent with the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032
  • a human rights focus and a cross-portfolio approach to addressing underlying issues
  • a clear commitment to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the plan and report publicly on implementation milestones.

The National Plan seeks to provide the strategic architecture to unite action by governments, the sector and community over the next 10 years, to prevent, respond and ultimately end the abuse and mistreatment of older people.

The National Plan Program Logic, released for feedback alongside the Plan, outlines how different activities in the National Plan are intended to lead to short, medium and long-term outcomes. This will help to ensure that the actions we take under the draft National Plan can be better monitored and measured.

Who we want to hear from

This consultation process seeks your feedback on the draft National Plan and the National Plan Program Logic. Your feedback will be considered through the Standing Council of Attorneys-General, and will be used to inform the final National Plan.

We want to hear from older people who have experienced abuse and mistreatment. We also want to hear from people and groups responding to, or working to end, the abuse and mistreatment of older people. Sharing your experiences will help us develop this work further and provide advice to Attorneys-General on the most important next steps and policy considerations for this National Plan.

You may have already shared your views on these issues through other recent consultations or inquiries. You are welcome to highlight or refer to matters addressed in past published submissions, where this is indicative of your current views on an issue.

How to share your views

There are several ways to share your views on the draft National Plan, including completing our survey and making a submission.

Consultation closes on Monday 17 February 2025.

You can submit your response under your name or anonymously. We will publish responses at the end of the consultation period. We will not publish submissions if you do not consent or if there are any potential legal or other issues with publishing the submission.

Submissions may be subject to freedom of information requests or requests from the Parliament. Personal information shared through the consultation process will be treated in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988. For more information on how we collect, store and use personal information, read our Privacy Policy.

We also plan to run several virtual or face-to-face roundtable discussions as part of the consultation process. If you are interested in participating, email us at nationalplan@ag.gov.au or call us on (02) 6141 6799 and provide the following information:

  • your name or the name of your organisation
  • preferred dates in early February 2025
  • preference for in-person or online
  • most convenient capital city if you prefer in-person.

We will then respond to you with available meeting times, based on the collective feedback and expressions of interest received.

Accessibility

If you need assistance completing the survey, or if you are not in a position to complete the survey or to make a submission but still wish to share your views, email us at nationalplan@ag.gov.au or call us on (02) 6141 6799. Please note the Attorney-General’s Department will be closed from close of business on 24th December 2024 and will reopen on 2nd January 2025.

Consultation documents

Safety information

The draft National Plan is about the mistreatment and abuse of older people. In some cases, this includes discussions of family and domestic violence and coercive control. If you think someone may be checking the websites you visit or using technology in other ways to monitor you, you can find out how you can browse more safely before you continue.

Support services

Reading about or sharing your views on the mistreatment and abuse of older people may be distressing. Your safety and wellbeing are paramount. If you or someone you know needs help, contact one of the below services.

If anyone is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000).

1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) is a free call phone number that automatically redirects callers seeking information and advice on elder abuse with a service in their state or territory.

1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 (available 24/7) or visit 1800respect.org.au.

Lifeline is a crisis support service for people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (available 24/7).

Have your say

Make a submission

Interests

  • Family