Kiama by-election's Liberal candidate, Serena Copley, wants to help local seniors enjoy more opportunities to live active, healthy, and socially connected lives and was joined by Opposition Leader Mark Speakman and Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane on the campaign trail.

Copley has welcomed Tuesday's announcement from Opposition Leader Mark Speakman that a Coalition government would commit to a three-year pilot with the Kiama, Shellharbour City and Shoalhaven City Councils in which they would each be able to opt in to receive $60,000 a year if the NSW Liberals win at the next state election.

“Our local seniors will be able to participate in subsidised classes helping them to keep active and engaged, and this will be a great preventative health measure,” Copley said.

“Loneliness is one of our biggest problems that we have in our ageing community, I am a Meals on Wheels volunteer and I know first hand how important that connectivity is.

“This pilot is a great example of how Liberal Governments back our communities, and I will be a strong advocate for local services and programs like active seniors’ pilot that help our community.”

Speakman said he would invest $540,00 over three years to deliver the pilot program in the Illawarra and South Coast if he was successful at the next state election in early 2027.

“As NSW Liberals, we’re committed to improving the preventative health care that our citizens receive,” he said. 

“Keeping seniors active is a smart, preventative health investment that will benefit seniors and the broader community.

“It’s improving the physical, the mental health, and the social wellbeing of older citizens.”

Shadow Minister for Health Kellie Sloane said by working with local councils to provide low-cost programs, it would help older people live healthier lives while delivering a practical cost of living measure.

“It’s an investment in both the wellbeing of seniors and the sustainability of our health system,” Sloane said.

“We are investing in the people of this community because they deserve it and they deserve to live long and healthy lives.

Speakman and Sloane also sees this announcement from the Liberal party as one of providing a layer of longevity and protection for seniors.

“We know that regular physical activity improves long-term physical and mental health, as well as increasing social engagement,” Speakman said.

“We want to keep them [Seniors] out of hospitals and in their own homes,” Sloane said.

“The only way we can do that is by investing in active seniors, investing in health programmes to keep people fit and active and out of the hospitals.”

Within the Kiama local government area, there are many independent groups that provide the space for seniors to congregate, exchange knowledge and remain active.

Kiama U3A president Charles Walker explained the foundational components, which align with the fundamentals of the Liberals' proposal.

“It [U3A] started off with the idea that it was academic or learning; learning was at the key,” Walker said.

“And slowly that morphed into an active body promotes an active mind. So, we incorporated exercise into the syllabus.”

An issue for Kiama U3A and groups alike, is that they are self-reliant and whilst this proposal from the Liberals may help with council, there is no indication if that will benefit small groups.

Speakman was clear this proposal will not only have health benefits, but provide cost of living relief but said funds would be directed to councils.

“Those that can’t afford to go to those programs, will now have an opportunity to join into a council-led program and still participate and feel valued and connect with their community in a way that is affordable for them.”