JARRAD BOYD
The Palaszczuk government has increased funding for the Seniors Enquiry Line in a bid to increase the level of senior citizens safeguarded against financial fraud and abuse.
Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk detailed plans to increase funding to the enquiry line by an additional $400,000 during the governments Whitsunday Community Cabinet.
Ms Palaszczuk said the additional funding which will roll out in $100,000 dollar increments starting this year and continuing for the next three years would help in providing scam awareness among older members of the Queensland community.
“All too often, we see older people becoming victims to financial abuse, and this extra funding will support the Seniors Enquiry Line to raise awareness about targeted scams”.
“We want seniors to be armed with this knowledge, as well as support services and available resources, so that they can better protect themselves, and can live actively and happily in their later years,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said that the funding is already upgrading the services provided by the Seniors Enquiry Line.
“The Seniors Enquiry Line has already begun to build their networks and update their phone scripts, to ensure seniors receive improved support and assistance, if they phone about fraud or scam related issues”.
According to Queensland crime statistics, since the beginning of 2016, there have been over 18,000 instances of fraud across the state with over 5,000 of these occurring in the Brisbane area.
According to Seniors Minister Coralee O’Rourke financial abuse targeting the elderly is common but is often not reported or recognized.
“We know older people can be vulnerable to abuse, but our Government is sending a clear message that any form of elder abuse will not be tolerated.”
“In areas like the Whitsundays, more than 14 per cent of the population are aged over 60, and I want to make sure none of our local seniors fall victim to this horrendous crime,” she said.
