12 April 2001

DUNNE BACKS POSITIVE

AGEING STRATEGY

The strategy on positive ageing announced on Tuesday is a hugely positive step for the elderly citizens and society as a whole, says Hon Peter Dunne, leader United-Future NZ.

“Given the strategy is almost identical to United Future’s Golden Plan for Positive Ageing, which formed the basis of United NZ’s policy last election, we are strongly supportive of the general theme of positive ageing and looking beyond the sole issue of income security, important as it is, to issues of social services, safety awareness, and ensuring the wisdom and potential contribution elderly citizens make is realised.

“We also applaud integrating the plan into all 26 government portfolio areas as this will ensure the plan is not viewed in isolation. It will also provide a basis for ongoing co-ordinated policy development,” says Mr Dunne.

He says the process began with the establishment of a taskforce in 1996 which former United Leader Clive Mathewson headed.

“With our ageing population the need for this strategy becomes even more crucial.

“In the meantime this strategy should become an evolving one with broad political consensus. If the Minister can bring other political parties on board with general agreement on the direction, then elderly Kiwis can look forward to the future with some confidence and optimism.

“United Future is pleased to add their strongest support to the strategy and is happy to work with the Government to help advance it if needed,” says Mr Dunne.

END

Attached: Golden Plan for Positive Ageing

UNITED Policy

Golden Plan for Positive Ageing

- An Accord on Positive Ageing to achieve a consensus on a range of issues affecting older New Zealanders.

- A sustainable superannuation scheme.

- A community volunteer tax rebate which recognises the unique contribution of older people.

- Extended pension portability.

- A national publicity campaign to emphasise and encourage the contribution of older people to society.

The Golden Plan is United New Zealand’s plan for positive ageing.

United New Zealand has developed a comprehensive national strategy for the ageing, which recognises their need for security and dignity. We advocate a sustainable superannuation scheme alongside a series of initiatives which recognise the contribution older New Zealanders make and encourage their diversity and individuality.

We are proposing better structures and policies to effect this balance.

UNITED WILL:

- Improve the integration of health and social services for older New Zealanders.

- Work with non-governmental agencies on policy development for older people.

- Promote income security by working with the Retirement Commissioner to develop a fair and sustainable superannuation scheme.

- Establish a new Accord on Positive Ageing to replace the former Multi-Party Accord on Superannuation. The Accord will aim to achieve a political and economic consensus on the range of issues affecting older New Zealanders.

- Introduce a community volunteer tax rebate as both financial incentive and recognition of the contribution of older people in society.

- Introduce an extended reciprocal pension portability programme to support New Zealand citizens overseas and migrants living here.

- Back a national publicity campaign to change attitudes to older workers and improve their opportunities to be involved in work, training and educational and cultural opportunities.

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