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The silver economy
Treasurer plans to boost entrepreneurship among older Australians.
Australia should harness the potential of older entrepreneurs to change the narrative about the ageing population’ s impact on the economy.
That’ s one of the key points raised by both Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison and COTA Australia.
Morrison told attendees at COTA Australia’ s Aged Care Reform after the 2018 Federal Budget Conference in Sydney that aspiration has no age limit. He also spoke at length of the economic opportunities of an ageing population.
“ When we talk about ageing sometimes, you’ d think when you hear from public
policymakers or bureaucrats or economic commentators that it’ s some sort of economic curse that people are living longer and healthier,” he said.“ It’ s great news, and we need to think of it like that.”
Morrison then outlined the government’ s More Choices for a Longer Life package.
COTA Australia chief Ian Yates said the package seeks to reframe ageing and aged care in a positive way.
One measure COTA was excited about was $ 17.7 million over four years from 2018 – 19 to promote entrepreneurship and new business opportunities and mentoring for mature age people.
“ Extending the business entrepreneurship program to include older workers is a crucial step in ensuring older Australians are equipped with the skills and resources to thrive in the new economy and realise the until now under-recognised potential of our older workforce,” Yates said, adding the move will also send a message to the Australian community that ageing is not a burden but a time of opportunity and growth for individuals and the economy. ■
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