Speaking up
COTA Tasmania regularly speaks up on issues that matter to older Tasmanians.
We prepare submissions, letters, briefing papers, media releases, op-eds, and other representations to governments, organisations, and decision-makers to help shape the policies, programs and services that affect people as they age.
This advocacy is a core part of our role. It helps ensure the experiences, concerns and priorities of older Tasmanians are formally heard, recorded, and considered in policy development, government consultations, and legislative reform.
Many of our advocacy activities respond to consultation papers, inquiries, draft laws, and public discussions. Others are proactive – raising emerging issues, offering practical solutions, or explaining why a matter deserves attention.
COTA Tasmania is a member of the COTA Australia Alliance and works with COTA Australia and other state and territory COTAs to ensure Tasmanians are represented in national policy discussions. We also work closely with Tasmanian community and representative organisations, including TasCOSS and the Tasmanian Coalition of Community Service Peaks.
This page highlights some of the ways COTA Tasmania is working to make Tasmania a better place to age.
2026
Submissions
TasInsure Discussion Paper and TasInsure Company Bill 2025
Draft 2026 Concessions and Discounts Guide
Integrity Commission Amendment Bill 2026
Tasmanian Transport Schemes Review
Draft Southern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy
Draft Northern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy
Clarence City Council Revised Strategic Plan 2025-2035
Housing Land Supply (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill
Family Violence Discussion Paper
OTTER Water and Sewerage Price Determination Investigation TasWater PSP5)
Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Plan
Macquarie Point Northern Access Road Concept Design Consultation
20-Year Preventive Health Strategy – Exposure Draft
DPAC Stakeholder Survey Response
Justice and Related Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2026
Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023–2027- Draft Implementation Plan 3
Public Health Amendment (Prohibited Tobacco and Other Products) Bill-2026
South Hobart Oval Off-Leash Dog Access
Single Start-Up Permit (SSUP) Discussion Paper
Residential Parks Bill 2026 (Consultation Draft)
Monetary Penalties Enforcement Amendment Bill 2026
Renewable Energy – Community Benefits
AEMO Improving life support processes (RRC0064)
Residential Parks Bill 2026 – LegCo Comments
Tasmanian Small Business Strategy
Senate Inquiry into Epilepsy in Australia
Electricity Safety Regulations 2026 Consultation
Next Tasmanian Mental Health Strategy
Cat Management in Tasmania Discussion Paper
Commission of Inquiry (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2026
What this means
Tasmania is ageing first 260216
Representations
Online Access Centre Changes – Letter to Minister Palmer 260123
Parks Booking System – Letter to Minister Duigan 260326
National Parks Booking System – Letter to Minister Duigan 260423 260423
Media Releases
Buck-passing over aged care closure will leave older Tasmanians stranded – COTA & ANMF 260123
Hospital funding certainty welcome 260130
Helping older Tasmanians stay connected 260330
Breast Screen Bus Delays – COTA & Women’s Health Tasmania 260515
2025
Disability Discrimination Act Review – Submission
Local Government Reform Submission – Submission
20-Year Preventive Health Strategy – Submission
Family Violence Reforms Bill 2025 COTA Tasmania submission
National Plan to End Abuse and Mistreatment – COTA National Alliance Submission Feb 2025 – COTA Tasmania contributed to this COTA Australia Alliance Submission
COTA Tas Submission – State Budget Community Consultation 2026-27
2024
COTA Tasmania – Long Term Residency in Caravan Parks Consultation Submission Oct 2024
Power of Attorney law reforms needed – Letter to Attorney-General
COTA Tasmania – Endorsement for BCAT & DVT Submission on Accessible Voting
Minor modifications – Residential Tenancy Act Coalition Letter
Inspector General submission My Aged Care Administration
Aged Care Act Reforms – COTA Tasmania’s contribution towards COTA Australia submission (written by COTA Tasmania staff and Policy Council)
Joint Select Committee on Energy Matters in Tasmania Feb 24 (written by COTA Tasmania Policy Council)
2023
Housing & Homeless National Plan Consultation – COTA Tasmania submission (written with support from COTA Tasmania Policy Council)
Legislative Council Inquiry – Energy prices (prepared by COTA Tasmania Policy Council)
Regional Bank Closures – Senate Enquiry
Expansion of Section 11B of the Sentencing Act 1997 (Tas) to Address Age-Based Hatred and Prejudice
Retirement Villages Amendment Bill 2023
COTA Tasmania – Disability Inclusion Bill Consultation Submission Sept 2023
Tasmanian Housing Strategy Exposure Draft – prepared by COTA Tasmania Policy Council
COTA Tasmania response to DOJ draft safeguarding options paper
State Budget Consultation Submissions
This an annual process aims to inform the Government on our priority areas for consideration in the upcoming Budget decisions.
COTA State Budget Submission 2026-2027
COTA Tasmania Community Consultation Submission 2025-26
- Appendix A Tasmania Department of Treasury and Finance 2024 Population Projections for Tasmania by LGA area
- Appendix B Digital Inclusion, Tasmania and National Averages, 2023 Collection
COTA State Budget Submission 2024-2025
COTA Tasmania State Budget Submission 2023-2024
State Election
COTA Tasmania urges all State Election candidates to consider their future selves, family members, neighbours, and communities when shaping their campaign commitments.
State Election 2025 – Key Election Points
Demographic urgency
- Nearly one-third of Tasmania’s population is expected to be aged 65+ by 2050
- Tasmania has the fastest growing ageing demographic in Australia
- We need a change in narrative around the ageing journey to one of possibility, participation and contribution.
We need decisive action now to prepare for this demographic shift.
Strategic Vision
- Create age-friendly communities across Tasmania
- Build infrastructure and support systems for all current and future older Tasmanians
- Make Tasmania a national leader in supporting positive ageing
- Focus on celebrating ageing and enabling full, connected lives where people feel safe, respected and independent.
This election is a time to act on what is needed to support us all, now and in the years ahead.
Prioritising older Tasmanians means preparing for Tasmania’s future.
We call all election candidates to consider our asks for this election: http://COTA Tasmania | Key 2025 Election Points – our asks
We welcome the July 16 announcement by the Liberal Party and now urge all candidates to make the same commitment. Our response to this announcement outlines why we believe this role is essential and how it can make a meaningful difference in the lives of older people across our state: COTA Tasmania Letter to Candidates | July 19
Candidates who have committed the policy and funding requests within COTA Tasmanian’s Election Statement:
- Adam Martin
- Angela Offord
- Chris Gatenby
- David O’Byrne
- Elise Archer
- Michelle Dracoulis
- Kristie Johnson
- Ella Haddad
- Cecily Rosol
- Traycee DiVirgilio
- Jeremy Rockliff
- Steven Phipps
Research, Consultations, and Reports
At COTA Tasmania, we listen to older Tasmanians through surveys, consultations, and research projects. Their voices shape our policy and advocacy work, ensuring decisions reflect real experiences and community needs.
We have published a range of reports used by government, service providers, and the broader community to inform planning, policy, and programs.
Key Publications
COTA Tas – State of the Older Nation Tasmania 2025
COTA Australia State of the Nation Report 2025
Focus on Tasmania: State of the Older Nation (2023)
Healthy, Engaged, and Resilient Consultation Outcome Report (2022)
Attitudes to Ageing Survey Report (2021)
Covid Conversations 2021:
Embracing the Future: Tasmania’s Ageing Profile (2018)
Recruiting for Life Experience: Older workers Workforce Development Research Project (2017)
Finding Out: The Information Needs of Older Tasmanians (2014)
Representation in the Community
COTA Tasmania advocates for older Tasmanians by ensuring their voices are heard where decisions are made. We actively represent the interests of older Tasmanians on a wide range of consumer groups, networks, and advisory committees, including:
- Older Persons Reference Group
- Seniors Alliance Tasmania
- Statewide Elder Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee
- Healthy Ageing Network South
- Tasmanian Active Living Coalition
- Aurora Community Consultation Forum
- Tas Networks Customer Council & Pricing Reform Group
- OTTER Customer Consultative Committee
- Metro Disability, Inclusion and Accessibility Governance Group
- Public Trustee Stakeholder Reference Group
Through these engagements, we bring the perspectives of older Tasmanians directly into government, community, and industry discussions – helping to shape more inclusive, age-friendly policies and practices.
Share Your Views
We want to hear from you! Share your ideas and experiences to help shape our advocacy priorities.
Share Your Views
COTA (Tas) wants to hear from you!
