People who abuse seniors face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 under new legislation tabled in the House of Assembly.

The Senior Abuse Register Act 2008 also says the offender's name will be placed in the senior abuse register, so organisations can scrutinise potential employees to determine whether or not they have a record of abusing pensioners.

Elder abuse hit the headlines last September when a 95-year-old partially blind widow, known as Auntie Em, was reported to have been living in horrific conditions, with cockroaches crawling across her skin and on her food in a vermin-infested property.

She was said to be a suspected victim of psychological and emotional abuse by her adopted daughter.

Within days of Auntie Em appearing in The Royal Gazette, six fresh cases of suspected elder abuse were reported to the authorities.

Shortly before last December's General Election, former Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief announced Government had been working on new legislation designed to protect seniors from abuse long before Auntie Em became public news.

The elder abuse register idea was announced last March in a move to step up scrutiny of people who work with the elderly.

Mr. Perinchief had pledged it would be followed up with legislation allowing Government officials more access to seniors, letting them intervene in situations even if elderly victims are reluctant to point out their carers are abusing them.