Representatives of more than 40 key stakeholders in the elder abuse sector met in February 2022 to workshop actions to inform the next National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians.

This document has been produced by the group to inform a new effective, achievable and targeted national plan to end elder abuse and neglect of older people.

This position paper is underpinned by a goal of reducing the prevalence of abuse and neglect of older people to zero, with the message that there is no tolerable level of elder abuse or neglect. The sector sees value in a ten-year plan (with shorter-term action plans to guide implementation and accountability) that involves a whole-of-government approach across the three tiers of government. To support a holistic and integrated framework for policy and programme development, the sector wants to see a plan designed around foundation principles drawn from the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study and the four pillars described in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

Fundamentally, the next National Plan should prioritise four key principles:

1. A strong human rights focus
2. Recognition of the diverse identities and characteristics of our older population and their experiences, including our First Nations people
3. Whole of government approach
4. Inclusion of older people’s voices, contributions and visibility