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Caxton Legal Centre has provided a submission to the Property Council of Australia in response to their draft Australian Retirement Village Accreditation Scheme standards.  The goal of the Accreditation Scheme is “to reflect the modern expectations of retirement village residents, and the evolution of the sector beyond purely a property and facilities-based offering.”  Caxton is concerned that the proposed standards do … Continue reading Submission to Australian Retirement Village Accreditation Scheme

Caxton Legal Centre staff will set their alarms early to take part in the Queensland Legal Walk at 7am on the 14th of May 2019.  The walk is a fundraiser for LawRight, a community legal centre which improves the lives of people who are vulnerable by providing access to justice – including those who experience homelessness or mental health … Continue reading Caxton staff raise funds for Queensland Legal Walk 

Alex has cemented her wish to work in family law in her time working at Caxton as an Administration Officer. Here is her account. My name is Alex and I currently work as an Administration Officer here at Caxton Legal Centre. I have worked here for just over a year now and find it an … Continue reading Administration job a formative experience for Alex

The Queensland Retirement Village and Park Advisory Service (QRVPAS) at Caxton Legal Centre is set to launch another year of statewide community talks, aimed at informing Queenslanders about their rights in retirement villages and manufactured homes (over 50’s parks).  With increased scrutiny on seniors living arrangements community interest is expected to be high.  “There’s a current growth in recognition of how … Continue reading Seniors housing rights on tour

Inadequate access to telephones in aged care facilities In running a specialist elder abuse service Caxton Legal Centre staff regularly need to telephone clients who reside in residential aged care facilities.  This can be a laborious and even daunting task as there are often multiple hurdles to pass before Caxton staff reach the point of being able to speak to an older person on the phone.   … Continue reading How can you call for help when you don’t have a phone?

  Allen’s birth mother was forced to give her consent to adopt Allen as she was young and unwed at the time of his birth. Allen was then placed in foster care. Despite repeated attempts by his birth mother to regain care of him on he was eventually adopted by a couple. Unfortunately, Allen was subjected to terrible physical and emotional … Continue reading Allen and his mum become a family again

While the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety presents an opportunity to shine a spotlight on some of the systemic issues that contribute to older Australians being mistreated in aged care facilities, the root cause, ageism, is going to be harder to expose and eliminate.     The World Health Organisation offers the following definition of ageism:   “Ageism is … Continue reading Ageism must stop for Royal Commission to achieve its goals

Today’s historic vote to pass the Human Rights Bill is a significant step towards a more just legal system for Queensland.  “Caxton Legal Centre was a key player in the campaign to introduce the Human Rights Act and we congratulate the Queensland Parliament on the vote today,” said Dan Rogers, President of Caxton Legal Centre.  “Vulnerable Queenslanders … Continue reading Queensland Parliament votes to pass Human Rights Bill 

The final report of the Royal Commission into Banking Misconduct recommends that sections of the Banking Code of Practice be made into law.  A key chapter of the Code of Practice relevant to Caxton Legal Centre clients is the provision for banks to take extra care with customers who are vulnerable due to elder abuse and financial abuse.  … Continue reading Risk banks will pay damages may better protect older Australians

With public hearings for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety beginning in Adelaide yesterday,  staff at Caxton Legal Centre hope to see the value of a human-rights-based approach feature in oral submissions.   A human-rights-based approach positions the older person as the rights holder whose rights to autonomy and independence are recognized and enacted. This approach … Continue reading A rights-based approach necessary in the response to elder abuse