Anthony Albanese addressed the National Press Club on 25 January, and Mr Kostoulias noted that the Labor Party leader had not addressed the concerns of the nation’s elderly in his speech.
Mr Albanese had told the National Press Club that the country was starting to move backwards after years of progress.
“I will change that. I will work with all state and territory leaders regardless of their political persuasion, to advance Australia’s common interest for the benefit of all,” Mr Albanese was reported as saying.
He also said that the federal government had responsibility for aged care but accused it of trying to push that responsibility to the states.
Mr Kostoulias wrote in his letter to Mr Albanese on 2 February: “I was listening to your speech at the National Press Club and was paying great attention with what was said. I commend you on your speech yet I would like to mention a few points for your consideration. Please correct me if I’m mistaken but I believe that there was no mention about the (in excess) three million elderly senior citizens.
You mentioned the Honourable Bob Hawke and his implementation of the Medicare system. It was respectful of you to mention it. Although flawed, I tend to think the Medicare system needs to be improved as it does not cover 100% of medical services and excludes several medications that are a necessity to the elderly citizen clubs that I represent.
Dental care for the elderly is another serious matter that needs addressing. If not addressed, these people cannot chew properly and as a result, food is swallowed in chunks. This results in digestive disorders, medical complications and a backlog of hospital queues. This in turn, is costing the federal government much, much more.
As for Betmiga (a medicine),which is for urinary incontinence, the senior citizens of Australia need it the most. Unfortunately, they walk the streets with wet pants and release unpleasant smells.
Again, Julia Gillard was repeatedly mentioned by yourself, Ms Gillard as Prime Minister had famously stated that the elderly of Australia were forgotten and needed attention. It’s not possible, Mr Albanese, for the Labor Party to forget its supporters of several decades.
With all due respect and on behalf of the Federation of Greek Elderly Citizen Clubs of Melbourne and Victoria which consists of 22,000 members and by extension to all retirees of this nation, I urge (If you are the next government) the provision of a better medical system. This should include and not be limited to medication and a revamped safety-net setup.
We also kindly request that some form of dentistry be covered through the Medicare system.
In closing, we ask that pensions are adjusted annually according to real inflation and the appropriate attention is paid to these serious matters. I commend you once again.”
The Federation of Greek Elderly Citizen Clubs of Melbourne and Victoria states it represents 110 Greek associations in Victoria with a membership of 22,000 people.
