COTA Vic criticises state budget
The 2008/09 State Budget was disappointing in its lack of robustness in addressing the needs of senior Victorians, particularly those on low incomes, COTA Vic head Sue Hendy says.
“At a time of high budget surplus and strong economic development, people on low incomes, and seniors, seem to be falling behind in Fairer Victoria,” she said.
“There are some positives for senior Victorians in this budget, but they tend to lack a cohesiveness in responding to the ageing population.
Some of the positives for seniors in the Budget included:
- 16,000 new elective surgery patients
- An extra 33,500 outpatient appointments
- An extra 60,000 patients in emergency departments
- Increase in aged care beds, particularly in regional areas
- Increased access to transport in regional areas
- Increase in funds for the aids and equipment program
- Free emergency ambulance services
- Release of land in inner metropolitan areas for residential aged care facilities
- Preventative health measures and cancer prevention and treatment
- A regional food kitchen to address food and meal provision management and efficiencies
- The on-going roll-out of social housing developments and upgrades
- Kinship support packages that will assist grandparents.
“We look forward to working with the Government on the Positive Ageing strategic framework to develop a whole of government approach to the issues impacting on older people and to ensure health and well being and quality of life for all senior Victorians, particularly those on low incomes.”
COTA Victoria also welcomes additional funding to assist low income households.
“But while low income households, including pensioners, can be grateful for the increase in the Water and Sewerage Concession cap, this will not be enough to alleviate the cost of living pressures on pensioners.”
