THE FIGHT against elder abuse, digital literacy and senior-friendly communities are some of the winners in the 2017/18 NSW budget, but lacking were any measures to encourage older people to downsize.
Energy rebates are set to continue which is good news for pensioners, many retirees and those on low incomes currently reeling from the massive price hikes imposed by the major energy retailers from July 1.
$6.5 million will allow the NSW Ageing Strategy to continue including $1 million for the Liveable Communities Grants program designed to make communities more accessible and inclusive; $600,000 is allocated to the Elder Abuse Hotline and Resource Unit which helps more than $10,000 people every year and $500,000 towards the Tech Savvy Senior program with the creation of 3500 new places.
A further $500,000 will be spent on the NSW Seniors Card Program; and seniors with mental health issues will receive more support to continue living in the community, with an extra $2.4 million for older persons community mental health services to be delivered through local health districts. The cost of daily Gold Opal travel will remain at $2.50.
Palliative care services throughout the state will receive $100 million.
Peak bodies gave the budget a mixed reception with the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association concerned that even with the continuation of the energy rebate, many seniors would "be left out in the cold" unless further assistance was urgently delivered.
"With a budget surplus of $12 billion and a looming energy crisis, this is a missed opportunity." said CPSA Policy Coordinator Ellis Blaikie.
She said the $10 million earmarked to treat 17,000 public dental patients was just a drop in the ocean as there were 80,000 people on the waiting list.
While welcoming the NSW Government's huge investment in hospital infrastructure particularly in regional areas, Ms Ellis said it was worrying that plans to outsource the redevelopment and management of Shellharbour, Bowral, Wyong and Maitland hospitals were still on the table.
She said that although the budget included a major investment in rail infrastructure there was a lack of extra funding to fast-track accessibility upgrades for public transport stops and stations, which meant many older people and people with disability would miss out. More than 100 stations are currently not accessible.
National Seniors highlighted the lack of action in the budget on helping seniors to downsize their homes.
Chief advocate Ian Henschke said the government should have taken the opportunity to encourage older people to downsize by offering stamp duty concessions on the purchase of homes.
"First home buyers have been offered this concession but older people still have little incentive to move out of larger homes more suitable for families into more manageable ones if they have to pay for the privilege."
Mr Henschk said many older NSW residents were struggling with spiraling living costs, including electricity.
Pensioners and older people on low, fixed incomes may be faced with making a choice between putting food on the table or turning off their heaters in the middle of winter with these price hikes," he said.
"This is hardly good news for people who are doing it tough."
