Adj Prof John G Kelly, CEO Aged & Community Services Australia, says ageing and aged care encompassing 14.7% of Australians - and increasing but is represented in Cabinet by the Minister for Social Services, with an Assistant Minister (currently Mitch Fifield) responsible for day-to-day ageing policy.
"This was at a time of huge change when the two departments involved (Health and Social Services) were ill-equipped to handle the implementation of the reforms.
Kelly says the sector has been ably served by Senator Mitch Fifield but needs a cabinet level Minister who could ensure a coordinated government approach to aged care, housing, employment, training, transport, dementia, discrimination, pensions, superannuation and other financial matters as they affect older people.
He calls to Malcolm Turnbull to provide this leadership.
