EXPANDED LEGAL SERVICE FOR SENIORS

A specialist legal service formed to help prevent financial abuse of older people will be expanded, and also will include another four services in regional Queensland.

Seniors Minister Warren Pitt said the expanded service would be piloted at a cost of $1.9 million in 2006-07.

It would assist seniors at risk of abuse and exploitation by providing free legal information and advice, short-term counselling, court support and community education.

Mr Pitt said the service would be an extension of the Queensland Government-funded Seniors Advocacy Information and Legal Service (SAILS), currently operated through the Caxton Legal Centre at New Farm in Brisbane.

SAILS currently provides assistance and advocacy on a needs basis to at-risk older people mainly in the Brisbane area.

“The expanded service will employ solicitors and social workers to provide both legal support and short-term counselling to help at-risk older people deal with cases of abuse as well as fears and reservations they might have,” Mr Pitt said.

“Initially, it will operate from Brisbane as well as in Cairns, Townsville, HerveyBay and Toowoomba. The service will also act as a one-stop shop that can provide referrals to other advocacy, consumer and support services.”

Research shows that financial abuse and exploitation of older people is a growing problem. It is estimated that between 14,000 and 23,000 seniors are adversely affected, and assets worth millions of dollars are involved.

The Department of Communities also is providing $355,306 in 2006-07 to the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit (EAPU), operated by Lifeline Brisbane.

The unit provides information and support for victims, their families and friends, service providers and the public about all forms of abuse of older people, including financial.

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4286