Tuning in to the community’s voice

All bar the final counting, the Queensland election is over.

The government is now readying for its second term which includes its eleventh hour announcement that it will increase land tax and foreign investment taxes. The economic case against both taxes is strong and we will be putting them to the government in the months ahead.

While the focus now turns to the policy agenda of a second term Palaszczuk Government, it is worth noting that one in three Queenslanders did not vote for the two major political parties. The result is a reminder that the fragmentation and disruption of our political landscape is continuing and that our industry must be more attuned to the community debates around us than ever before.

On a different note, this week commenced with the annual National Retirement Living Summit on the Gold Coast. The mood of the conference was purposeful and positive.

The industry has a great story to tell. It offers a deep sense of community, affordable living and adds to the wellbeing of nearly 200,000 Australians – and remarkably, it does so at no cost to the taxpayer.

While the industry is providing a remarkable service to people right across Australia, there is recognition that the industry faces challenges. In places, trust has been shaken and community expectations have not been met.

The industry is showing a steely-eyed determination to address those issues.

Already the industry has been acting on the Retirement Living Eight Point Plan to deliver higher standards and greater transparency. The Plan is not window-dressing. It’s a substantive response focused on a deep commitment to residents and a pride in what the industry delivers.

As part of that, the industry is working towards a Code of Conduct that will provide residents, families and the community with confidence that Australia’s retirement villages are willing to embrace the higher standards expected of it.