❓ Question regarding the Minister's awareness of financial elder abuse facilitated by enduring powers of attorney and the intended actions to address it. The Minister's response outlines existing mechanisms for reporting and investigating such abuse.
AnsweredQoN 3055Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Is the Minister aware of evidence that enduring powers of attorney being used to facilitate financial elder abuse, and if so, can the Minister advise how and when he intends to act to remedy this?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 November 2014
Responded by
Minister representing the Attorney General
Response time
26 days
The
Guardianship and Administration Act 1990
enables people to take action to protect adults with enduring powers of attorney if they have evidence that financial elder abuse is occurring. Where there are concerns a criminal offence may have occurred, people can report it to the Police. I encourage the Member to report any such concerns she may have on this matter to the Police without delay.
Alleged financial abuse relating to enduring powers of attorney can be investigated by the Office of the Public Advocate. If there are concerns about the action of an attorney, applications can be made to the State Administrative Tribunal regarding the actions of the attorney. One outcome is the revocation of the enduring power of attorney, and if the person has a decision-making disability the State Administrative Tribunal may determine that an administrator should be appointed. An administrator can investigate the matter further if it appears that financial abuse has occurred.
The Office of the Public Advocate's Telephone Advisory Service on 1300 858 455 provides information to people concerned about the actions of an attorney. Information is also available on the Office of the Public Advocate's website: www.publicadvocate.wa.gov.au
Guardianship and Administration Act 1990
enables people to take action to protect adults with enduring powers of attorney if they have evidence that financial elder abuse is occurring. Where there are concerns a criminal offence may have occurred, people can report it to the Police. I encourage the Member to report any such concerns she may have on this matter to the Police without delay.
Alleged financial abuse relating to enduring powers of attorney can be investigated by the Office of the Public Advocate. If there are concerns about the action of an attorney, applications can be made to the State Administrative Tribunal regarding the actions of the attorney. One outcome is the revocation of the enduring power of attorney, and if the person has a decision-making disability the State Administrative Tribunal may determine that an administrator should be appointed. An administrator can investigate the matter further if it appears that financial abuse has occurred.
The Office of the Public Advocate's Telephone Advisory Service on 1300 858 455 provides information to people concerned about the actions of an attorney. Information is also available on the Office of the Public Advocate's website: www.publicadvocate.wa.gov.au
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