Liberals to Trial ‘Ticket to Wellbeing’ for Seniors

Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, Minister for State Development, Trade and the Antarctic, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Member for Braddon; Nic Street, Minister for Housing and Construction, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Minister for Stadia and Events, Member for Franklin, 21 March 2024

Tasmanians Young And Old Set To Benefit Under Our Strong Plan

A re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will expand the eligibility criteria for Ticket to Play, provide additional funding to Reclink Australia, and trial a new Ticket to Wellbeing program for older Tasmanians.

Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, said that under the Liberals’ 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, Tasmanians young and old will have access to more social and sporting opportunities than ever before.

“Our Ticket to Play program is something that I am incredibly proud of – I hear regularly about the genuine difference that this has made to the lives of so many young Tasmanians,” Premier Rockliff said.

“That is why I cannot be happier to announce that we will not only expand this program with an extra 2,500 vouchers, but also pilot a brand new Ticket to Wellbeing for eligible older Tasmanians.

“This new program will also offer two vouchers worth up to $100 each and will be available to those listed on a Services Australia Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card.

“Given the roaring success of Ticket to Play, the positive impact Ticket to Wellbeing is set to make for older Tasmanians simply cannot be understated.”

Minister for Sport and Recreation, Nic Street, said that access to sports and community activities can be life changing which is why the Liberals have reaffirmed their support for Reclink Australia.

“On top of our commitment to expand our Ticket to Play program and pilot the brand now Ticket to Wellbeing, we’re throwing our continued support behind Reclink Australia,” Minister Street said.

“Reclink Australia engages with the most at-risk and disadvantaged within our community, putting them on a pathway to success via evidence-based, innovative community sports and active recreation programs.

“With the cost-of-living increasing under continued interest rate hikes, we want to ensure that no Tasmanian, young or old, misses out on an opportunity to be active and connected within their community.”

A re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will:

• expand the eligibility criteria for Ticket to Play by including children of people who received the Family Tax Benefit Part A Supplement in the previous financial year, delivering extra 2500 vouchers;
• trial a two-year $1 million Tasmanian-first Ticket to Wellbeing program for the health and wellbeing of older Tasmanians; and
• provide an additional $150,000 per annum over the next two years to support Reclink Australia which provides evidence-based, innovative community sports and active recreation programs. They engage some of the most at-risk and disadvantaged community members, including those experiencing poor mental health, drug, alcohol, and gambling harm, domestic/intimate partner violence, homelessness, long-term unemployment, social isolation, and socio-economic disadvantage.

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Media release – Clubs Tasmania, 21 March 2024

Expansion of Ticket to Play a boost to get Tasmanians active

Clubs Tasmania welcomes the Liberal Government’s commitment to expand eligibility criteria for the Ticket to Play program, and backs the pilot for a Ticket to Wellbeing program for older Tasmanians.

The Ticket to Play initiative, available for eligible children aged between 5-18, has made a huge difference to the lives of thousands of Tasmanians, allowing them to access sport and recreational activities that have previously been out of reach.

In partnership with the Council on the Ageing (COTA), Clubs Tasmania has lobbied for a similar program for people aged over 18 so they too can remain active and access exercise classes or sporting groups.

“Ticket to Play has proven to be a wonderful success for younger children who previously may have missed out playing sport due to the costs involved,” Clubs Tasmania chief executive Steve Old said.

“It is why we welcome the Liberal’s announcement today it will expand the program with an additional 2500 vouchers, allowing even more Tasmanians to participate in sport and active recreation. Keeping children healthy and active is vitally important.”

Clubs Tasmania project manager Tom Darke said the trial of a new program also promises to provide similar benefits for older Tasmanians.

“It is extremely pleasing to see a Ticket to Wellbeing program created for people listed on a Services Australia Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card. Local clubs are the lifeblood of so many communities but many are struggling to attract new members and volunteers,” Mr Darke said.

“This is a fantastic way to encourage people of all ages and from all walks of life to get involved with their local club in some capacity to boost physical, mental and social wellbeing.”

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Media release – COTA (Council on the Ageing), 21 March 2024

Just the Ticket to help older people’s physical and mental wellbeing

COTA (Council on the Ageing) Tasmania, the peak body advocating for older Tasmanians, welcomes the Liberal Government’s promise to introduce a trial period for a Ticket to Well Being program which COTA says will go a long way to help older Tasmanians’ physical and mental welfare.

COTA Tasmania has been strongly advocating for this initiative for some time and sought support from major parties and candidates throughout the election campaign.

Acting CEO Brigid Wilkinson said the Ticket to Wellbeing initiative which was an extension of the Ticket to Play program for up to 18-year-olds, would assist Tasmanians manage their health conditions, enhance community connection, remain active and minimise participation costs.

“The two-year $1mill trial period, proposed by the Liberal Government, is a significant step towards supporting older people maintaining physical fitness and social connectivity, crucial elements for overall well-being.

The Ticket to Well Being program will provide older Tasmanians with opportunities for cost-of-living relief and access to healthy activities.

“This aligns with COTA Tasmania’s advocacy efforts, focusing on promoting physical fitness alongside providing social connection and creating an effective preventative health policy initiative,” Ms Wilkinson said.

“Older Tasmanians regularly tell us that the social connection they receive through exercise classes or sporting groups is just as an important to them as the physical health benefits. That is why programs such as Ticket to Wellbeing is so important. Human beings are social creatures, and the impact of social isolation and loneliness on overall well-being cannot be understated. The Ending Loneliness State of the Nation report 2023 highlighted the prevalence of loneliness among Australians and its detrimental effects on well-being.

“Connecting with new people and groups becomes challenging as we age due to a number of factors such as mobility issues, limited transport options, and lack of accessible information about local activities. Investing in social connection programs such as the Ticket to Wellbeing, is vital to minimising social isolation among older Tasmanians.”

“COTA Tasmania also welcomes the Labor Party’s commitment to ensure connectivity for older Tasmanians by pledging $200,000 for a similar program to the Ticket to Wellbeing initiative.

“We look forward to collaborating with the new government, policymakers, and community organisations to ensure the successful implementation of programs such as the Ticket to Well Being as well as other initiatives aimed at ensuring Tasmanians can age well,” Ms Wilkinson said.