Pialba hosts state conference for pensioners league

Hundreds of Queensland pensioners and superannuants have gathered at Pialba this week for the 59th Australian Pensioners and Superannuants’ League state conference.

Stirling Hinchliffe, Parliamentary Secretary to Seniors Minister Warren Pitt, said the conference was an important event, not only for members of the Australian Pensioners and Superannuants’ League but also for seniors throughout the state.

Mr Hinchliffe will officially open the conference today on Mr Pitt’s behalf.

“During the next three days, the conference will discuss a range of issues, from the positive portrayal of seniors through to addressing elder abuse,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“The Queensland Government cannot and will not tolerate elder abuse in any way, shape or form.

“That is why the Department of Communities recently provided funding of $1.9 million to pilot five new services providing free access to advice and assistance for seniors.

“The Seniors Legal and Support Services are being delivered by established community legal services as one-year pilot programs in Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Cairns, Townsville and Toowoomba.”

Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara, who also spoke at the conference, said the Queensland Government acknowledged that elder abuse was a serious issue and that there were other high need areas across the state.

“It’s important to realise that the pilot program in five centres is just the first step in the development of a statewide response to address elder abuse,” he said.

“Elder abuse and financial exploitation are issues of growing concern to all of us because they can have serious consequences for the health and wellbeing of older Queenslanders.”

Seniors and their families can also seek support via the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit, which operates a confidential statewide telephone helpline on 1300 651 192.

Media contacts: Stirling Hinchliffe 0418 983 654; Andrew McNamara 4124 1386