Shadow Minister for Seniors Nicole Lawder will today move a motion calling on the ACT Government to accelerate the footpath maintenance component of the Age Friendly City Plan and the initiatives to support Canberra becoming a Dementia-Friendly City.

The motion also calls on the ACT Government to write to the Federal Government in support of a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.

“Older Canberrans are understandably concerned about the dire state of footpaths in the ACT,” Ms Lawder said. “They are more vulnerable to falls and rely on footpaths for exercise and mobility.

“It’s the basic maintenance components of the Age Friendly City Plan that matter most to older Canberrans, which is why I’m calling on the government to accelerate this work.

“Ensuring that our city is accessible to all should be of the highest priority to this government.

“Similarly, by accelerating the work on making Canberra a Dementia-Friendly City, we can help improve our city for people living with dementia and their carers.

“It is staggering that the Minister is unable to provide a straight answer as to whether frontline staff such as bus drivers have been given dementia-friendly training.

“These are simple, low-cost initiatives that can make the world of difference to older Canberrans and prevent future accidents. Many seniors feel ignored by this Labor Greens Government, and by moving things along faster, we can help improve the quality of life for older people in our community.

“Older people advocacy organisations have long been calling for the introduction of a UN Convention of the Rights of Older Persons. I see no reason why the ACT Government can’t write to the Federal Government about this matter,” Ms Lawder concluded.