Seniors on the Sunshine Coast will have their voices heard in Canberra through a new local committee dedicated to the over 50s.
Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien, who has established the Seniors Advisory Committee, said “it’s all about advocating for this important demographic”.
At its inaugural meeting, the team got straight to business, wasting no time proposing and planning a formal Seniors’ Forum to be held Thursday, 27 July, with an expert panel presenting on key issues and facilitating question and answer sessions.
The new committee will also prioritise issues of importance to seniors and seek direct engagement with older residents on Federal Government policies and their impact.
“People over 50 have built this nation and deserve to have their way of life protected,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I embrace the fact that our region is home to many seniors and I believe we can use that to our advantage to build a dynamic and prosperous economy.”
The inaugural meeting brought together a range of people from all walks of life, including committee chair Carol Cashman and members Margaret Donaldson, John Devers, Lesley Cowan, Bernard Treston, Graham Young and David Woodrow.
A precursor to forming the committee was a forum held by Mr O’Brien in February last year in which seniors ranked the issues of most importance to them, with health, cost of living, the economy and national debt coming out on top.
Mr O’Brien said he would listen to Sunshine Coast seniors and push for their causes in Canberra.
“I am delighted to have such an insightful and committed group of seniors on this committee, whose expertise I can draw upon to make positive differences in the lives of senior Australians who have given so much to this country.”