Queensland Budget promises ‘age-friendly’ state

Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk says the state’s Budget 2023-24 promises a significant and ongoing investment in an age-friendly Queensland for older people now and for future generations.

Ms Palaszczuk says $16.3 million in funding over four years will provide a crucial boost to a range of wrap around supports, services and initiatives that will ensure that senior Queenslanders are supported now and into the future. 

“We believe this budget will enable seniors to feel cared for, safe and supported by Queensland’s world class frontline services,” she said today.

“In this budget we will see an increase in funding for seniors social isolation services from 2024-25 onwards, expanding the footprint of services so more older people can access them.

Queensland Treasurer, Cameron Dick said he wanted to ensure all Queensland seniors can access support and information to lead full and active lives.

“And this budget will go a long way to ensure that senior Queenslanders are connected to their communities and the services that matter to them,” he said.

“Seniors Expos and seniors saving pop-up events are an important part of connecting seniors to services in their community; the funding of $16.3 million over the next four years will enable them to continue.

“Importantly we will continue to support the valuable work of the Queensland Carers Advisory Council in providing advice to Government on how to support carers.”

Minister Craig Crawford said the 2023-24 budget investment will support annual reporting on the prevalence of elder abuse in Queensland to understand what drives it, so the Government can provide more effective prevention and intervention responses.

“We believe this budget celebrates the contribution seniors make to Queensland, through their roles as carers, workers, volunteers and community leaders,” said Mr Crawford.

The budget announced today included funding of $16.3 million over four years to:

• continue to deliver Seniors Expos and seniors saving pop-up events that connect seniors to the services in their community;
• increase funding for seniors social isolation services from 2024-25 onwards;
• support annual reporting on the prevalence of elder abuse in Queensland and to understand what drives it;
• to support an extension of the Electricity Life Support concession eligibility;
• support seniors volunteering, and
• support the valuable work of the Queensland Carers Advisory Council in providing advice to Government on how to support carers.