The Coalition welcomes the Alzheimer’s Australia march to Parliament House in Canberra today.
Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Shadow Minister for Ageing and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, said the Gillard Government has been remiss in ending funding for the Dementia Initiative – Making Dementia a National Health Priority.
“This Coalition program began in 2005 with $320 million funding over five years and despite this initiative proving invaluable and a government evaluation finding the program a success, the Labor Government decided to terminate the funding,” Senator Fierravanti-Wells said.
“There are currently 269,000 people living with Dementia in Australia. By 2031 this number is expected to grow to 465,000 and will reach 980,000 by 2050.
“Australia's 1.2 million carers, who provide at home care, save this country $5.5 billion each year.
“The Coalition recognises the debilitating impact this disease has on our community, and the growing challenges it presents. Further to our commitment to reinstate the Dementia Initiative – Making Dementia a National Health Priority, at the last election the Coalition committed to providing an additional $50 million over four years to expand this program to include other chronic neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.
“Along with our promise to boost mental health funding we remain committed to improving the level of resources dedicated to fighting Dementia.”