OverSixty July 2023 Digital

5 OVERSIXTY.COM.AU | ISSUE 5 | JULY 2023 NEWS Golf: a growing game for all How the budget D΍HFWV \RX ZOË MEUNIER NEWS W hat are the biggest changes older people will notice from the recent Federal budget?Hereare somekey chang- es with the most impact, including the al- location of $14.6 billion over four years in targeted support and payment increases to address cost-of-living pressures. (QHUJ\ ELOO UHOLHI Subsidies of up to $500 will be given to meet increased energy costs, provided as a one-o! payment delivered directly through household electricity bills. "e amount of relief received is dependent on your personal circumstances and where you live. "e government has also im- plemented temporary price caps on gas contracts and coal, along with gas market reforms, to ensure we can access energy at a fair price. Households wanting to reduce energy costs will have access to 110,000 low-in- terest loans to upgrade the energy e#- ciency of their homes and reduce energy bills, via battery-ready solar photovoltaic (PV), double glazing, modern appliances and other improvements. 5HQW DVVLVWDQFH Renters will receive additional support through a 15% boost to the maximum rate of rent assistance fromSeptember 2023. 0RUH DFFHVVLEOH PHGLFDO FDUH Signi$cant funding ($3.5billion) has been provided for stronger incentives to en- courage GPs to bulk bill for many com- mon consultations – including for pen- sioners and Commonwealth concession card holders. More than 300 common Pharmaceuti- cal Bene$ts Scheme (PBS) medicines will be cheaper as people will be able to buy two months’ worth of medicine with a single prescription. A further $358.5 million has been allo- cated for Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, including eight new clinics providing bulk billing and longer opening hours, while MIKE SEARLES NEWS G olf is experiencing a boom in popu- larity across Australia. "e latest Par- ticipation Report published by Golf Aus- tralia reveals that more than 2.7 million Australians have embraced the game, making it one of the country’s highest participation sports. “Golf is big – and it’s getting bigger,” said Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland. “We’re delighted to see golf in Australia growing at a rate never seen before and consolidating its position as one of the country’s highest participation sports.” Golf Australia’s report showcases a sig- ni$cant growth in club memberships, with each state and territory seeing a surge in numbers. Club memberships in- creased by 2.7% in the past year, following a record-breaking 6.4% growth in the pre- vious year. Social club membership also witnessed a substantial 8.9% increase. 3URJUDPV IRU DOO DJHV Golf Australia’s programs have success- fully engaged both adults and children, fostering a love for the sport across gen- erations. "e “Get into Golf” program for adults experienced a remarkable 65% in- crease, with an astounding 84% jump in female participation. Moreover, the “MyGolf” program for children aged $ve to twelve witnessed a 13% growth. "ese initiatives provide a solid foundation for young golfers, fos- tering their passion for the sport from an early age. For grandparents who want to share their love of golf with their grand- children, these programs serve as an ideal opportunity for quality family time. 5HMXYHQDWLQJ KHDOWK DQG ZHOOEHLQJ Gol$ng o!ers numerous health bene$ts. "e game provides an opportunity for gentle exercise, promoting cardiovascular $98.2 million in Medicare rebates will en- able doctors to spend more time with pa- tients with chronic or complex needs. $JHG FDUH DVVLVWDQFH "e government has funded a 15% pay increase for workers and provided 9,500 extra home care packages, in response to the delay in implementing a new Sup- port at Home program, which has been postponed until 1 July 2025, while a new Aged Care Taskforce works on getting the $nal design right. "e Taskforce will also review aged care funding arrangements and develop options for long-term fund- ing of an improved aged care system. "e Budget has allocated $72.3 million for the development of a new regulatory model for aged care providers, which will be re%ected in a newAged Care Act, while $12.9 million will be invested to improv- ing dining and nutrition provided to aged care residents via several measures. 6XSHUDQQXDWLRQ For individuals with a total superannu- ation balance of more than $3 million, from 1 July 2025, the existing tax rate of 15% will be increased to 30%, impacting about 80,000 people in 2025-26. Older people who are still in the work- force will bene$t from the requirement, as of 1 July 2026, for employers to pay their employees’ Super Guarantee on the same day they pay salary and wages – previously employers were only required to pay the SG quarterly. Due to the stabilisation of $nancial conditions, as of 30 June, the government will not continue to halve minimum drawdown rates for account-based pen- sions, with minimum drawdown rates now reverted to pre-COVID levels. $tness, and improving muscle strength and coordination. It also serves as a means of stress relief (though at times those wayward drives can test our ‘stress levels’ to the max). Darryl Kerrigan marveled at the se- renity of Bonnie Doon in the 1997 Aus- tralian movie, !e Castle . I have a similar “how’s-the-serenity” moment each time I step onto a golf course. Being outdoors while pacing along lush green fairways surrounded by healthy trees is an excel- lent way to promote a sense of calm and active lifestyle while embracing the beau- ty of nature. (PEUDFLQJ LQFOXVLYLW\ "e positive growth in golf participation can be attributed to the Australian Golf Strategy, which aims to make the sport more inclusive and accessible to all Aus- tralians. With the belief that “all golf is golf,” the participation measurement was adapted to recognise the diverse forms of the game. Fromsocial golfers to long-time members, weekly competition players to putt-putt specialists, driving range regu- lars to simulator lovers, every contribu- tion is valued and celebrated. /HW WKH ERRP FRQWLQXH Golf’s booming popularity in Australia and surge in participation extends across all age groups, with the over sixty age group especially $nding fun and friend- ship on the fairways and greens of golf courses around the country. Asmore peo- ple reap the social, physical and mental health bene$ts that golf o!ers, the sport’s allure will continue to grow. More accessible medical care is one of the key features of the recent Federal budget Cartoon: Mike Baldwin Mike Searles is a retiree who enjoys playing and writing about golf. Photo: Getty Images NEWS NEWS “It’s a postcard from your doctor. He says he’ll be right with you.”