WITH campaigning for the May federal election now in full swing, older Australians are being asked to share their view on the issues and policies that matter most to them.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Thursday that voters will go to the polls on May 18 to decide which party will form the next federal government.
Now Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia is on the lookout for people aged 50 and over to be part of its 2019 Federal Election Panel.
With the Royal Commission shining the light on the shortcomings of the current aged care system, with many older Australians calling for better access to dental health services and an increasing number of mature age workers unemployed now is the time for your to have your say.
"We are at a crossword for how we plan for Australia's ageing population," said COTA Victoria chief executive Rhonda Held, urging older residents to sign up to the panel.
"By joining COTA's Federal Election Panel, you will help shape COTA's policy asks and provide feedback on the issues and policies that impact all older Australians."
Election panel membres can participate in a number of ways - through surveys, sharing their story with local media or attending local events.
Shortly after signing up to the panel, you will be sent a link to complete a 10-15 minutes survey which seeks to better understand the key issues affecting older Australians.
"The results of the survey will help COTA refine its own policy priorities and enable us to exert pressure on political leaders of all stripes to commit to our key asks in the lead up to the election," said Ms Held.
"The more voices we hear from, the greater our impact will be."
Participation and the responses you provide as part of the panel will be kept confidential.
To sign up to the panel, go to OlderAustraliansVote.org.au