Northcote electorate
Kat THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (14:51): (633) My question is to the Minister for Ageing, and I ask what supports are available to older residents of Northcote? Thirteen per cent of locals are aged over 65, and they are a diverse mix of cultures and languages, from Irish, Greek, Italian, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Arabic. They enrich our suburbs but also face challenges, whether that is accessing health care as they age, finding social connection and financial security or simply traversing our suburbs with ease. Last week I celebrated Orthodox Easter with the Greek community in the inner north alongside colleagues – the member for Preston, Ged Kearney and Sheena Watt. Among the many conversations was the cost of living and the need to support our cherished seniors groups. Over the years I have been proud to support these organisations with grants for events or upgrades to their meeting places, from the Irish Australian bureau to the Darusalam Society, U3A Darebin, Navarino, Papaflessas and many more. I believe the strength of our community is in part measured by how we treat our elders, and we have a duty to honour and care for them. I look forward to the minister’s response and hearing about the ways our Labor government is supporting older members in our community.