Responding to the financial abuse of older people - Loddon ...

or breach of contract or confidentiality or interference with privacy if they report
suspected abuse in good faith;
(c) the Australian Bankers’ Association to consider whether it should:
(i) amend the Code to include new or separate standards and contractual terms
for consumer banking services (including basic savings and investment products)
to or for elderly customers;
(ii) conduct research on overseas trends and experiences to enhance the value
of the review.
In addition we commend consideration of all of the reforms proposed by the House of
Representatives, Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, 12
and particularly:
(d) the Australian Government provide funding mediation and dispute resolution
services to assist older people to resolve financial disputes involving abuse.
(e) the Australian Government provide funding to the Australian Network for
the Prevention of Elder Abuse.
(f) the members of the Australian Guardianship and Administration Committee
examine the Western Australian legislation relating to reporting by banks and
other financial institutions of suspected abuse to the Public Advocate and Advocare,
and develop similar initiatives for consideration by their respective state and
territory governments.
(g) the Australian Government or the Australian Bankers’ Association provide
funding and appoint or establish an agency to be responsible for monitoring abuse,
developing solutions to combat abuse and providing a focal point to address the
issue of abuse.
(h) the Australian Government examine a rebate scheme for legal fees for older
Australians to improve access to legal services.
(i) the Australian Government require that 10 per cent of Commonwealth funding
to the Legal Aid Commissions be utilised for assisting older Australians with
legal matters that otherwise qualify for legal aid assistance.
(j) the Australian Government increase funding to the Community Legal Services
Program specifically for the expansion of services, including outreach services,
to older people by Community Legal Centres.
(k) the Australian Government provide funding to Community Legal Centres
to expand their community education role, with a specific focus on older people.
(l) the Australian Government establish a resource service for older people, accessible
through a single contact point, such as an 1800 telephone number, that can provide
assistance to older people in identifying the legal services that are available to them.
Further, that the assistance service be supported by a media education campaign
to alert older people to their legal rights and to advertise the availability of
legal assistance.
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