Government to launch hotline to combat elder abuse

The Government has also pledged to provide $18 million dollars over four years for trials of new services to support victims.

Christian Porter says as many as 185,000 older Australians experienced abuse or neglect every year. Source: AAP

Victims of elder abuse will have access to a free national hotline, providing a "one-stop shop" for information and referrals so older people can protect themselves.

Attorney-General Christian Porter announced on Tuesday the federal government would also provide $18 million over four years for 12 trials of front-line services designed to support elder abuse victims, starting before the end of June.

They consist of five specialist elder abuse units, three health-justice partnerships, and four case management and mediation services.

"(They) will have to be inclusive of indigenous and migrant and ethnic Australians and people from different cultural backgrounds with different levels of language skills in English and other languages," Mr Porter told reporters in Perth.

"The Kimberley is the particular service provider and trial site that we have developed ... to try to combat the challenges of ageing and elder abuse specifically for Indigenous Australians."

However, National Seniors Australia's chief advocate Ian Henschke said it was well known that vulnerable people suffereing abuse were reluctant to report it. 

“The government’s announcement to introduce a free national hotline to report elder abuse is a positive step, provided people are aware of it,” Mr Henschke said.

“Research among our members has shown six out of 10 haven’t heard of the Complaints Commissioner for Aged Care. So, it’s important that the federal government provides funding to educate people about where they can complain about elder abuse.

“What we need is more immediate and direct national action to provide appropriate protection for vulnerable older Australians. National seniors is always be supportive of good research but in this case the priority is action.”

Mr Porter said the hotline was aimed at all elderly people including those living independently, with family, in residential care and aged-care facilities.

Age Discrimination Commissioner Kay Patterson said the national hotline made her job easier because she would no longer have to provide dozens of phone numbers in different states.

Age Discrimination Commissioner Kay Patterson said a uniform phone number across the country would be a benefit, Source: AAP

Ms Patterson said, "To any older person who is out there thinking 'I'm not sure where my money is going, I don't know what's happening to my medication, I feel concerned that people are controlling my life' that's the number to ring and there will be people who are experienced to help them in their state or territory," 

The federal government also plans to undertake Australia's first national study on the prevalence of abuse.

Mr Porter said it was estimated as many as 185,000 older Australians experienced some form of abuse or neglect every year.

He said, "No Australian should feel ashamed about seeking help on this critical issue,"

The national plan was a key recommendation in a 2017 report by the Australian Law Reform Commission, which highlighted physical and financial abuse, neglect and exploitation of older people.