Elder Abuse Cases on the rise, new publication to help you
By natasha | January 26, 2012
A cause very close to our hearts is the dreadful situation of elder abuse. APSL President, Ian Gordon says that elder abuse is on the increase. “Every week we get calls from older people who are experiencing abuse or know of someone they suspect might be a victim of abuse.”
“Elder abuse is not just verbal threats and physical assault – financial abuse is a growing concern for many older Queenslanders”.
The APSL with the Public Trustee of Queensland have joined forces once again to help the thousands of older Queenslanders who experience abuse each year.
Peter Carne, of the Public Trustee said he was pleased to work with the league to launch the new ‘Let’s Talk About Elder Abuse ’ publication.
The new publication is easy to read, features real life stories and a list of resources where people can seek help and information.
You can access an electronic copy of this brochure via our website, apsl.com.au or venture over to the Public Trustee website, http://www.pt.qld.gov.au/files/elder-abuse-brochure.pdf. To request a copy of the publication you can also call 1300 360 044. Alternatively, the Public Trustee will be making the publication available at all of their offices across the state and will be supplying them to all government and non-government community organisations that support older people.
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Australian Pensioners’ & Superannuants’ League QLD, attracted to a “CAN DO” election pledge
By natasha | January 25, 2012
With the Queensland State Election being held on March 24, one election pledge has caught our eye and will be of great interest to pensioners/seniors, particularly those living in regional and remote areas, recently announced by “Can Do Campbell”.
Announcing this election pledge, as reported in the January 2012 edition of “Seniors” newspaper, Can Do Campbell has promised to increase travel and accommodation subsidy for those patients requiring specialist medical treatment by 100%.
Mr Newham, said the LNP would double the travel subsidy from 15cents to 30cents per kilometre and double the accommodation subsidy from $30 to $60 per person per night.
The issue of travel and accommodation subsidies has been a matter of great concern for the APSL over many years and has consistently been raised at APSL State Conferences. Based on evidence and documents provided by APSL branches throughout regional and remote areas of Queensland, older people have suffered pain and financial strain as a result of the failure of previous State Governments for nearly thirty years to increase the travel and accommodation subsidies.
Last year alone Cancer Council of Queensland, due to bed shortages were forced to turn away 1,136 patients from its five lodges across the state with those patients unable to afford alternative accommodation.
When the election rolls out, the APSL will be keeping a close eye on “Can Do” in relation to this promise and will closely monitor the Bligh Government to at least match or go one better on this election promise.
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What do older people need at times of a disaster?
By natasha | August 31, 2011
The APSL is conducting a research study to find out what older people need at times of disaster. We are after your views so we can make recommendations to the Government to make improvements before, during and after disaster situations.
Please take the time to answer the questions and email your responses to: comet@apsl.com.au or post your answers to Lynn Barratt, Policy Coordinator, APSL, PO Box 5141, West End Qld 4101 by the end of September. Or simply phone Lynn on 3844 5878 and she will call you back to save you the cost of the call.
If you were not affected by the recent disasters we still want to hear our views about what preparation you think is required to meet your needs and the needs of older people. Please answer the first part about preparation.
Thank you for your assistance.
Questions:
Were you affected in any way by the recent disasters? Yes/ No
Where do you live? Postcode?
What is your age range? 60-65, 65-70, 70-75, 75 – 80, 85-90, 0ver 90
Have you received any information to help you prepare for a disaster and if so how and from whom? How helpful was it? What could be done better? Have you done anything to prepare for a disaster in the future and if so please tell us what that is?
During the disaster, did you need help? Who helped you? Were you evacuated? What were the problems? What could have been done better?
After the disaster, what was the experience of getting financial and physical help? Were you insured? Were there any problems with insurers and if so what? What could be improved?
Send your responses to
Email: comet@apsl.com.au
or Post: Lynn Barratt, Policy Coordinator, APSL, PO Box 5141, West End Qld 4101
or Phone: Lynn on 07 3844 5878
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GLORIOUS ART, FANTASTIC FOOD, EXCEPTIONAL SPEAKER, PRIZES GALORE WITH A SING SONG AND A DANCE
By natasha | August 11, 2011
CELEBRATE SENIORS WEEK @ KURILPA COMMUNITY HALL
‘KURILPA ANTICS ‘– Opening 25th AUGUST 2011
Morning Tea & Luncheon 9.30am – 2pm
The Kurilpa Community Hall, managed by The Australian Pensioners and Superannuants League Queensland, will open their first Community Art Exhibition Thursday 25th of August.
Cr Helen Abrahams will officially launch the exhibition titled, ‘Kurilpa Antics’, which will be a feast for your eyes. The exhibition depicts the creativity of our vibrant community.
The APSL was originally formed in 1945 by women who were widows, both war and civilian. This was at a time when such a thing as the “widows’ pension” was not available. This group of women, headed by a very radical woman named Mary Noonan, lobbied the government and rallied in front of parliament, until the widows’ pension was introduced.
The Kurilpa Kitchen has been a further creation, established for sixteen years, catering to the needs of our community through providing a balanced nutritional meal and activities for socialisation.
A new and powerful team of woman will lead Kurilpa Kitchen through the development of the next stage. Skye Leong, the project coordinator, brings new life to Kurilpa Kitchen. Hailing from a business and arts background, Skye hopes to build a strong foundation for the Multicultural, Indigenous, Seniors and people with a disability in our community. By providing a space with activities and interaction to stimulate the mind and soul Skye aims to break down barriers to community inclusion.
This exhibition coincides with Seniors Week; and the Kurilpa Kitchen community luncheon which will include a Morning Tea, entertainment of Greek and Chinese Dancing, the McGregor Primary School Choir, and a delicious two-course lunch.
In an effort to develop quality projects, Kurlipa Kitchen and APSL are calling for the support of sponsors to assist with the development of our creative community space, Kurilpa Hall.
All enquiries please contact:
Ms Skye Leong,
Kurilpa Hall’s Marketing Coordinator and Guest Liaision Officer
on 3255 1420 Mondays and Thursdays.
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APSL disappointed with the outcomes of the 2011 Queensland State Budget
By natasha | June 14, 2011
The Australian Pensioners’ & Superannuants’ League Queensland Inc. (APSL) is extremely disappointed that the needs and requirement of pensioners and superannuants have not been well addressed in the budget announced today by the Treasurer, Mr Andrew Fraser.
State Secretary/Treasurer, Mr Ian Gordon said the State debt will increase progressively over the next three years to $64 billion. “It is hard to see the finances of Queensland will come back into surplus by 2015. The high Australian dollar is also contributing to a decline in the number of overseas tourists visiting Queensland and an increase in the numbers of Australians travelling overseas to holiday rather than coming to Queensland. The Queensland economy is suffering badly from the low uptake of tourism within the state” he said.
Mr Gordon said “Queensland Treasury is forecasting economic growth of 5% for 2011-2112 and 5.4% for 2012-2013. Under the current international financial situation, the APSL questions the Queensland Treasury’s ability to make such forecasts. They are also forecasting that for the Asia region other than Japan, demand for products exported from Queensland will increase by 6%. Again there has to be a question mark against this as many of Queensland’s coal mines are still not fully operational since the widespread flooding which interrupted production earlier in the year.”
Mr Gordon says “Pensioner concessions for electricity, rates and water have been increased to meet the increases in these utilities which have been announced by the Queensland Government. It is a major disappointment that the State Government has followed the lead of the Federal Government in ignoring the parlous position of many pensioners who are totally dependent on the aged pension. Queensland pensioners deserve better treatment from the Queensland Government than has been provided in this budget.”
“The APSL welcomes the abolition of the ambulance levy will result in a saving of $113 per year or $28.25 per quarter for all Queenslanders who have electricity account” he said.
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APSL oppose changes to electricity system
By natasha | May 13, 2011
The Australian Pensioners’ and Superannuants’ League, Qld Inc. (APSL) strenuously opposes the decision by State Government to introduce a fixed supply charge on electricity bills. The very idea that pensioners should subsidise the use of power by the rest of the community is utterly absurd.
Policy Coordinator, Lynn Barratt says “It is grossly outrageous and unfair that the government should even be considering a scheme for power charging which will result in an increase in cost for low users and pensioners. It makes a mockery of the argument that we have to address climate change and need a carbon tax.”
A fixed quarterly charge model will drive up electricity bills for small users, such as pensioners, already struggling to meet the cost of power increases, even with rebates received.
Many pensioners have reduced their electricity consumption patterns, by not heating or cooling their homes in the winter and summer months. Some have even resorted to not turning on lights, which causes a health and safety concern for accidents and falls that could occur during the home.
This State needs to get serious on the affordability of power for everyday Queenslanders, families and most of all pensioners. The juggling act in meeting all the vital expenses that costs one to live is causing much heartache for many, who simply don’t know how to survive.
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