Budget: Older Australians to Benefit in Budget 2012
9 May 2012 at 10:39 am
The 2012 Federal Budget confirms Australia is on the path to ageing well, according to aged care organisations representing seniors, workers, carers, aged care providers and health professionals.
The National Aged Care Alliance welcomed the Federal Government’s budget commitment to its aged care reform package and was cautiously optimistic about the outcomes.
COTA Australia Chief Executive Ian Yates said it was pleasing to finally see a real beginning to aged care reform.
“The $3.7 billion new and redirected funding package outlined by the Federal Government does not tick all the boxes but it is the beginning of the fundamental shift needed to better support older people now and lay the foundation to meet the huge challenges of our ageing population into the future," Yates said.
“The package will see an increase in the number of people who receive in-home care, provide increased funding for dementia care, give more support for carers and set aside money to improve the wages of aged care workers.
“All these measures will have a positive impact on the lives of older Australians and their families and carers. More work is needed to introduce an entitlement to aged care for all older people and ensure a sustainable industry, but the most important thing today is to make a start.”
Rob Hankins, President of Aged & Community Services Australia said the challenge for the sector now was to keep the Government on track, to work with them on the detail, including identifying areas where more work is needed, and make sure the reforms deliver a better deal for older Australians.
“The devil of this reform is in the detail,” he said.
“We look forward to working together across the sector and with the Federal Minister to make sure these reforms are rolled out sensibly and quickly, especially issues relating to prices, so we can all start to age well.”
Sue Lines, Assistant Secretary of United Voice welcomed the provision for aged care workers outlined in the Budget.
“The commitment to the Workforce Compact released in the Budget will help alleviate the problems of attracting and retaining aged care workers,” she said.
“Hard working aged care staff have been paid poorly for far too long and these measures will finally help to recognise the incredible work aged care workers do in our community.”
Read all our coverage of the 2012 Budget here.
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