Elder Abuse and Enduring Powers of Attorney: rights, responsibilities and education opportunities
Tracks
Federation Ballroom
Education and Training
Elder Abuse
Evidence Based Policy
Future Directions
Human Rights
Wellness / Well Being
| Thursday, November 14, 2024 |
| 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM |
Speaker
Mr Robert Fitzgerald AM
Age Discrimination Commissioner
Australian Human Rights Commission
Elder Abuse and Enduring Powers of Attorney: rights, responsibilities and education opportunities
Abstract
Elder abuse and Enduring Powers of Attorney: rights, responsibilities and education opportunities
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) will present findings from new research to be released in 2024 on the topic of Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPOA).
The research, which involves a national survey of EPOA principals and attorneys, provides new evidence to support sector advocacy for law/policy reform and to inform approaches to improving national education about EPOAs. These reforms align with recommendations from the 2017 Australian Law Reform Commission Report ‘Elder Abuse - A National Legal Response’.
The Commission will:
* provide an overview of the problem of elder abuse in Australia, including from misuse of EPOAs
* information about current gaps and opportunities for improving EPOA education
* de-identified stories and survey quotes reflecting Australian’s experiences with EPOAs
* evidence to support sector and individual advocacy for EPOA reform
By sharing the findings and voices of Australians from our research, the Commission hopes to inform and stimulate fresh thinking and action from conference participants to support calls for change and consider what can be done locally and nationally to improve EPOA education and reduce the risk of elder abuse arising from misuse of EPOAs.
While the Commission has proposed an oral presentation, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate in a Thinktank discussion involving the Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald to consider the possible future directions communities may take to support older people to safeguard their rights as they age and to live free from abuse.
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) will present findings from new research to be released in 2024 on the topic of Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPOA).
The research, which involves a national survey of EPOA principals and attorneys, provides new evidence to support sector advocacy for law/policy reform and to inform approaches to improving national education about EPOAs. These reforms align with recommendations from the 2017 Australian Law Reform Commission Report ‘Elder Abuse - A National Legal Response’.
The Commission will:
* provide an overview of the problem of elder abuse in Australia, including from misuse of EPOAs
* information about current gaps and opportunities for improving EPOA education
* de-identified stories and survey quotes reflecting Australian’s experiences with EPOAs
* evidence to support sector and individual advocacy for EPOA reform
By sharing the findings and voices of Australians from our research, the Commission hopes to inform and stimulate fresh thinking and action from conference participants to support calls for change and consider what can be done locally and nationally to improve EPOA education and reduce the risk of elder abuse arising from misuse of EPOAs.
While the Commission has proposed an oral presentation, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate in a Thinktank discussion involving the Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald to consider the possible future directions communities may take to support older people to safeguard their rights as they age and to live free from abuse.
Biography
Robert Fitzgerald AM commenced as Age Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission on 2 April 2024.
Mr Fitzgerald is a highly respected lawyer, human rights and social justice advocate, and a leading figure in the anti-discrimination space.
He has been the NSW Ageing and Disability Commissioner since 2019 and was previously an Australian Productivity Commissioner, NSW Community and Disability Services Commissioner, and Deputy Ombudsman.
He served as Commissioner on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and was the Chair of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Advisory Board. He has served on NGO boards for over 40 years.
Session Chair
Keryn Curtis
AAG
