MEDIA RELEASE

INQUIRY INTO LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION IN THE ACT

The Education and Community Inclusion Committee today announced an inquiry into loneliness and social isolation in the ACT.

The inquiry will examine the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation in the ACT community; experiences of loneliness and social isolation among residents of the ACT; and the personal and social costs associated with loneliness and social isolation. The inquiry will also consider opportunities to support organisations and individuals to reduce loneliness and social isolation in the ACT, and to integrate improving social connectedness into other areas of policy making.

Full terms of reference are available on the Committee’s webpage:

Inquiry into Loneliness and Social Isolation in the ACT - ACT Legislative Assembly

The Chair of the Committee, Mr Michael Pettersson MLA, said, ‘Governments worldwide are increasingly recognising the impact of loneliness and social isolation on people’s mental and physical health. The United Kingdom and Japan have even created ministers for loneliness. Recently, the COVID lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 brought the effects of loneliness and social isolation into wider public consideration.’

‘This inquiry aims to investigate the extent of loneliness and social isolation in the ACT community and among particular groups,’ Mr Pettersson said. ‘The Committee will also consider how best to support individuals and organisations to address loneliness and improve social connectedness in the ACT.’

‘We hope to hear from a wide range of people in the ACT about both their personal experiences and their ideas for how the ACT community can tackle the issue of loneliness and social isolation’, Mr Pettersson said.

The Committee invites submissions addressing any or all aspects of the terms of reference. Submissions can be emailed to LACommitteeECI@parliament.act.gov.au.

Submissions to the inquiry opened on 2 November 2023 and close on 23 February 2024.

Committee Chair, Mr Michael Pettersson MLA, on (02) 6205 1436

Committee Secretary on (02) 6205 0137 or at LACommitteeECI@parliament.act.gov.au