“The aged care sector’s call for funding to the Labor government has fallen on deaf ears. It is a tragedy that providers have had to resort to begging for more funding for the care of frail aged Australians,” says Shadow Minister for Ageing Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.
“The poor response and complete disregard by this government demonstrates once again that they simply do not care about aged care and, as with mental health, it continues to be ignored.
“On ABC2 Breakfast Minister Roxon when questioned about the Aged Care Industry Council’s open letter that had appeared in newspapers across the country continued to blame the previous government. She also blamed aged care providers, she said that the adjustment to pensions had not been included in their letter and I quote ‘What isn’t included in that is the very significant benefit that was passed onto providers by the significant rise in pension rate,’ ” said Shadow Minister for Ageing Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.
“Labor has well and truly broken their 2007 election promise to deliver ‘new directions for frail and older Australians’ and cannot be trusted to look after our frail aged.
“Older Australians and their families deserve to know that they can access the aged care services they need, when they want and where they want.
“Prime Minister Gillard needs to take immediate action on aged care and change the current policy approach that has seen aged care shunted off to the Productivity Commission that does not report until April 2011,” said Shadow Minister for Ageing Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.