State of the Older Nation Address

Australia’s population is ageing, reshaping our society and the economy. In considering the impacts of this shift, policy and public debate too often treat older Australians as a group who are wealthy and financially secure – or alternately as a group that are frail, in aged care and framed as a cost rather than acknowledging their contribution and diversity.

The 2025 State of the Older Nation (SOTON) report – a national survey conducted by SEC Newgate on behalf of Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia – goes beyond these perceptions to illuminate the diverse experiences of Australia’s over-50 population. It reveals considerable disparities in financial security, access to health and other critical services as well as the impact of ageism on opportunity, work and in social settings.

The Hon Christopher Pyne, COTA Australia Chair, will present the report’s findings and explore the emerging challenges and opportunities as our country’s demographic profile transforms.

BIO

Christopher is Executive Chairman of consulting firm Pyne and Partners. He is Chair of the Council of the Ageing, Co-Chair of the Australia United Arab Emirates Business Council, and the SA Governors’ Council of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia. He sits on the Advisory Boards of munitions and armaments company NIOA Group and Neishlos Capital.

Christopher is a member of the Council of the National Library of Australia.

He is an Industry Professor at Adelaide University in defence and defence industry.

He is the author of two books – “A Letter to my Children” (2015) and “The Insider” (2020) and the podcast Pyne Time.

He was thrice named in the AFR Magazine’s Power List of the top ten most powerful people in Australia.

Christopher served in the Australian House of Representatives from 1993-2019. During this time, he was in the Liberal Party Leadership Group for 10 years, Leader of the House of Representatives for six years, and served in Cabinet for six years.

He was a Minister in the Howard, Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison Governments, holding the portfolios of Ageing, Education, Industry Innovation and Science, Defence Industry and Defence.

Christopher lives in Aldgate in South Australia and is married to Carolyn and is the father of Eleanor, Barnaby, Felix and Aurelia.