MEDIA RELEASE - SUSAN RYAN AO SHARES HER EXPERIENCES AT GREENWAY SENIORS MORNING TEA - 26 JUNE 2018

25 June 2018

140 local residents gathered at The Ponds Hub on Friday to attend ‘In Conversation with Susan Ryan AO’, a seniors morning tea hosted by Michelle Rowland MP.

Susan Ryan made history to become the first female Cabinet Minister in the Hawke Government, and in 2010 became the inaugural Australian Age Discrimination Commissioner, a position she served in for five years.

Speaking from her wealth of experience, Susan discussed fairness for seniors particularly in the areas of housing stress, ageism in the workforce and recognition of the role of grandparents.

Michelle and Susan also discussed the importance of accessibility for seniors in a number of areas, including the challenges facing seniors in the online world and the need for more funding to be put into service delivery, particularly through the Department of Human Services and MyAgedCare.

Susan shared information with local seniors the growing importance of digital safety and encouraged awareness of online scams, which disproportionately impact on older Australians.

Susan also talked about the important role that seniors play in the economy, particularly those who choose to remain in work. She said government should be doing more to clamp down on ageism in all its forms; something she was passionate about in her capacity as Australia's first Age Discrimination Commissioner.

Attendees commented on how personable and articulate Susan was in sharing her experiences with the Greenway community.

“I sincerely thank Susan Ryan for taking the time to come to Greenway and speak to local seniors about the important role of Australian seniors in our community. It was interesting and enjoyable for all who attended,” Michelle Rowland MP said.