A NEW South Wales inquiry has been launched into the financial, physical, sexual and psychological abuse and neglect of the elderly.

The Upper House Committee will be chaired by Labor Member of the Legislative Council Greg Donnelly and is open to submissions from Tweed residents, where 30% of the region's population is over 65.

"In this inquiry, we are examining the abuse of some of the most vulnerable people in our community, the elderly," he said in a statement.

'The committee is interested in hearing about the current support services available to victims of elder abuse and whether the NSW Police have adequate powers to respond to allegations."

The committee will consider the effectiveness of laws, policies and strategies to safeguard older persons and considering the development of long-term measures to prevent or safeguard against abuse and to develop ways of empowering older persons to better protect themselves, Mr Donnelly said.

Tweed MP Geoff Provest said his office had dealt with a number of cases of elder abuse and that he would call on local agencies like St Vincent De Paul, the Salvation Army and Kin Carers to consider making submissions, which his office can assist them with.

The closing date for written submissions is Sunday, November 15. The committee anticipates it will hold its first public hearing in late November.

Mr Donnelly's office said regional hearings in the Tweed could be held.

The committee intends to report by May 2016. Go to www.parliament.nsw.gov.au /gpsc2, or call 02 9230 3586 to make a submission.