Aged care is quite expensive to provide. To ensure the continuity of aged care facilities the Australian Government provides a contribution. “On average, the government currently contributes around $42 880 a year for a high-care resident and $15 565 for a low-care resident,” (Aged Care Australia Website). This makes it a final contribution of around 75% for each resident. Providing this allowance shows the Governments respect for older Australians, and makes it easier for the people caring for them.
“A significant number of residents in aged care facilities are unable to access family or community support for long distance transport” (NCOSS Website). Time constraints faced by staff have contributed to the limited access to transport within aged care facilities. For residents in aged care facilities transport is a major need, and without it they are unable to access necessary facilities such as health care. “Research conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that approximately 84% of residents in hostel facilities received a pension,” (NCOSS Website). A pension does not provide a significant amount of income, therefore preventing older Australians from being able to access costly transport.
As Australians age, communities within Australia will react differently. This may be in a positive way, creating a healthy environment for older Australians, or in a negative way, preventing older Australians from achieving their goals. State and Federal Governments have become increasingly aware of the needs of older Australians, ensuring that issues dealt with will remain in view of the public.
People with differing sexual identities have been the subject of considerable prejudice over the past few decades, and have had to wait until recent years to enjoy life as part of a similar status to that of heterosexual communities. At an international level, rights of homosexuals have been somewhat recognised. However, individual nations have not been as positive in imposing domestic legislation in which international law is reflected throughout.
“The legal definition of marriage in Australia is the voluntary union of a man and woman to the exclusion of all others and for life,” (HAMPER, ET AL p.345). Homosexual union is not legally recognised within Australia, and makes it not only difficult to hold a relationship as a homosexual couple, but experience any kind of ‘normal’ life. Other problems evident were ‘a homosexual persons right to inherit a partner’s estate’. It was not until the Property (Relationships) Legislation Amendment Act 1999 (NSW) was introduced that some of these problems were overcome. Now that the new legislation was in progress, partners of deceased homosexuals were now able to inherit their partner’s estate without going to court. Although this Act was effective in protecting homosexual couples within NSW, it was not consistent in protecting the rights of homosexual people across the nation.
Consistent with the Marriage Act 1961 (Cwlth), the Adoption Act 1965 (NSW) prohibits homosexual couples from adopting children. It states, “that the persons in whose favour adoption orders may be made as a husband and wife, or a man and woman living together as husband and wife on a bona fide domestic basis although not married,” (HAMPER, ET AL p.345). Due to homosexual couples being of a male and male, or a female and female basis, they were not ‘qualified’ to adopt a child. However, the Adoptions Act 2000 (NSW) has changed the focus of adoptions much more towards the children instead of the adopting parents. Section 7 clearly states that “adoption is to be regarded as a service for the child, not for adults wishing to acquire the care of the child,” (HAMPER, ET AL p.345). As with the Property (Relationships) Legislation Amendment Act 1999 (NSW), the Adoptions Act 2000 (NSW) is only effective within NSW. The remainder of the nation is still subject to an extensive amount of prejudice.
The age of consent for both heterosexual males and females is sixteen. For homosexual females it is also sixteen. However, for homosexual males, it is as eighteen years of age in which they can legally engage in sexual activity. In 2002, an attempt was made to change the age of consent for homosexual males from eighteen to sixteen, but this was unsuccessful. If a homosexual male was to initiate sexual activity, the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) specifically states that “a male person who has homosexual intercourse with a male person of, or above the age of ten years, and under the age of eighteen years shall be liable to penal servitude for life,” (HAMPER, ET AL p.345).
Differing sexual identities will gain difference in a community’s reaction. Due to homosexuality being situated outside of the social ‘norm’, strongly discriminative views continue to exist amongst Australian society. Although homophobic views are held by a minority cluster of people, it is still difficult to endorse legislation that will defeat this. “People are generally aware that they should not make comments regarding a person’s sexual identity. However, in the company of friends, with no authority present, these comments will still be made,” (HAMPER, ET AL p.373). Stereotypical views of homosexual individuals and couples have been around for an extensive amount of time, and misleading presentations such as the media, have contributed to the prejudice that will take decades to overcome.
Australia’s response, both legal and non-legal, has varied extensively throughout the years. Particular groups, including ‘the aged’ and ‘people of differing sexual identities’ have been made subject to a considerable amount of discrimination because of it. Australia’s legal system has attempted to create, change and abolish laws that conflict with an individual’s rights, but have not always been successful in doing so. ‘The aged’ and ‘people with differing sexual identities’ are only two of many groups within Australian society who are subject to prejudice. By accepting each community within Australia as what they are, Australia as a country, and Australians as individuals, will be able to establish and maintain a healthy and positive environment for future generations.
By Elizabeth Condon
