Advanced Australia: The Politics of Ageing

Description

Advanced Australia explores the politics of ageing in Australia. The addition of 25 years to average life expectancy in Australia over the past century is a monumental achievement, but many commentators are greeting the prospect of Australians living longer with horror. The ageing of Australia's baby boomers will sharpen this debate, both because of the size of their generation, as well as their history of reshaping every phase of life in their own image. Ageing will dominate Australian politics for years to come, touching almost every area of policy - retirement incomes, housing, employment, urban design and more. Advanced Australia makes the case for a much more positive approach to ageing that celebrates the continuing contribution older Australians make to our community.

Mark Butler has been the Labor Member for Port Adelaide in the federal parliament since 2007 and served as Minister for Ageing in the Gillard government. He has also held the Ministries of Mental Health, Housing, Homelessness, Social Inclusion, Climate Change and the Environment. In 2013 Mark was awarded the Alzheimer's Disease International Award for Outstanding Global Contribution to the Fight against Dementia. Mark is currently the Labor spokesperson for the Environment, Climate Change and Water.