Submission: Inquiry into elder abuse in NSW

In our submission to the NSW Legislative Council inquiry into elder abuse, the Tenants' Union argues that elder abuse is more than an action between two people with unequal power in a situation of trust. We argue that government policies and practices can also lead to elder abuse. We identify the forced re-location of social housing tenants from Millers Point in Sydney as elder abuse in this way.

Although the State Government's 'NSW Ageing Strategy' does not refer specifically to 'ageingin-place', a number of significant documents commissioned by it do. A basic principle underlying this is that older people know what is best for their own lives and have the right to make decisions on their own behalf. We ask that the final report of the General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2. include a recommendation that the NSW Government allow the remaining older residents of Millers Point to age-in-place in their current housing.