“Such moves by the government are often a silver cloud with a grey lining. To what extent is the government intending to use this survey in the Seniors Card as a way to save money?” wonders political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.  

OLDER people ought to be recognised for their lifelong contribution. With minimal exceptions, older people have made significant contributions to society through their work, raising families and community contribution.

As part of the process of reviewing the ACT Seniors Card, the government argues that it “is part of an Australia-wide scheme which recognises the contribution of older people to society and supports them to be active in the community”. 

Surprisingly, the review is taking place mid-term without an election in sight. It is an opportunity for senior Canberrans to have a say in the status of the Seniors Card.

The Seniors Card is available to people 60 years or over who are permanent residents and living in the ACT and who are not in paid employment for more than 20 hours per week. It ought not be confused with the federal government pension card.

There are nearly 400 businesses that provide support for people with the Seniors Card. The same card facilitates savings on a wide range of government goods and services including registration and public transport.

Emma Davidson, ACT Minister for Veterans and Seniors, is behind the review that will be conducted independently. The review includes a survey of users or businesses that can be completed online or in person at one of four libraries in Canberra. Participation is welcomed through until early February.

The government is seeking understanding around four areas. The first is “the experience using the Seniors Card day to day, including for discounted transport and other government fees”. Second, the government seeks information about “what benefits the community receive from the Seniors Card and things that could be included in the future”.

Additionally, they are attempting to understand “ways in which the Seniors Card can be more accessible (such as through digital wallets and other technologies)”. Finally, there is the usual catch all: “any other ways in which the Seniors Card can be improved”.

Such moves by the government are often a silver cloud with a grey lining. To what extent is the government intending to use this survey as a way to save money? 

The “more accessible (such as through digital wallets and other technologies)” reasoning raises the question of getting rid of the credit-style card and handling the whole process electronically.

This is a Seniors Card. While many current seniors are really adept within the digital world, there are still many who are not so familiar with the use of the latest technologies. Therefore it’s important that any transition to digital wallets and other electronic systems needs to be gradual.

Encouraging more businesses to be involved with the Seniors Card is part of the goal of the government as part of this process. Businesses currently supporting the Seniors Card, or have supported it in the past, are encouraged to take part in the survey. Ideas that provide both an incentive for business and a benefit for card holders will enhance the usefulness of the card.

Hopefully, even more businesses will be part of the system which “recognises the contribution of older people to society and supports them to be active in the community”. 

One of the goals of the card is to encourage older people to get out of their homes and to build better connections. Connectedness is a key element of ensuring healthier people. Nowhere is this more important than in older people.

Minister Davidson has also emphasised this aspect in launching a program of small grants supporting veterans and their families. The focus is on older people and our veterans in aiming for better health outcomes. She explained that “fostering the connection and social inclusion of our veterans and their families is so important for their wellbeing”. 

She explained that the idea of the grants is to provide a mix of initiatives, which “are encouraging active participation in sports and recreation, positive mental health and wellbeing, and creativity for veterans and their families”.

Expressing appreciation for the contribution that older people have made through their working lives is really important. Ensuring the most effective policy around the Seniors Card is one important way of achieving this.

Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health. He has been a political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006.