A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Ageing

Abstract

Increasing longevity is an historic triumph and population ageing is emerging as one of the major global issues of the 21st century. Australia’s future will be deeply affected by the ageing of the baby boom cohort, with large numbers expected to reach advanced ages during a time of economic uncertainty, pressures on health budgets, and the likely need for ongoing fiscal restraint. A new policy era is emerging, illustrated by the redesign of superannuation over the last 20 years, ongoing debate about retirement incomes policy, the establishment of a Commissioner on Age Discrimination and the ‘rights’ approach, and consumer-led directions in the Living Longer Living Better reforms of aged care. The government’s 2015 Intergenerational Report is the latest in a series of Intergenerational Reports (IGR) that serve as barometers of the sustainability of national government spending programs and raise wider questions about public policy priorities (Commonwealth of Australia 2015). These initiatives are bringing additional evidence and critical arguments to the public debates, extending consideration of ageing well beyond health and welfare concerns to a consideration of its pervasive influences on national priorities including productivity, incomes, taxation, federal relations, and population policy. Show more