International Day of Older Persons
Wednesday 29 October 2025
S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (12:49): I move:
That this house—
(a) notes 1 October 2025 is International Day of Older Persons and is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution to our community of the thousands of South Australians aged over 65;
(b) notes that these South Australians continue to contribute to our community through millions of hours of volunteer service and as grandparents and carers;
(c) acknowledges the increase in the number of older South Australians and that the number of people aged 65 years or older worldwide is projected to more than double, rising from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion in 2050;
(d) celebrates that the Malinauskas Labor government has expanded free public transport and other benefits to thank our seniors and assist with their cost of living;
(e) notes that older women are one of the fastest growing populations experiencing homelessness in Australia and the state government is addressing housing insecurity; and
(f) affirms that no older person should ever be subjected to abuse, deception or scams, and encourages all South Australians to respect our seniors, especially our veterans.
On 1 October 2025, we celebrated the International Day of Older Persons—an important opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contributions that older South Australians make to our community. Across our state, thousands of people aged 65 and over enrich our lives every single day. They are our volunteers, our mentors, our grandparents, our carers and our community leaders.
Together, older South Australians contribute millions of hours of volunteer service each year supporting charities, community groups, sporting clubs and local initiatives. Their experience, dedication and generosity are part of the very fabric that holds our communities together. As we celebrate, we also recognise that our population is ageing. Here in South Australia, the number of people aged 65 and over continues to rise, reflecting a global trend. This demographic shift presents both challenges and opportunities, and it calls for thoughtful policies that support ageing well. That is why the Malinauskas Labor government is proud to be taking meaningful action.
We have expanded free public transport for seniors, making it easier for older South Australians to stay connected, independent and active in their communities. We have also introduced and strengthened cost-of-living supports, recognising the real pressures faced by retirees and pensioners.
We also acknowledge that older women are one of the fastest growing groups experiencing homelessness in Australia. This is unacceptable, and our government is taking decisive action to address housing insecurity through investment in social housing, targeted support services and partnerships with community organisations, to ensure that every older South Australian has a safe place to call home.
Importantly, we must continue to affirm that no older person should ever be subject to abuse, deception or scams. Elder abuse in any form is a violation of trust and dignity. As a community, we have a responsibility to protect our seniors, to remain vigilant against exploitation and to ensure that respect and care are at the heart of how we treat every older person, especially our veterans who have given so much in service to our country.
On International Day of Older Persons, let us celebrate the strength, wisdom and generosity of older South Australians, and commit to policies that promote dignity, security and inclusion, and may we all show our respect and gratitude to the older people who continue to shape our state for the better. I commend this motion to the house.
