Minister for Ageing faces up to Qld aged care lobby group
The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, has published an open letter in response to Queensland Aged Care Alliance’s criticisms of overall funding levels.
She stated; “For the record, the Queensland Aged Care Alliance and the Australian Government are both looking and working in the same direction. We both want a long-term and viable residential aged care sector.
“However, despite the views of some of your members, the Australian Government will not compromise on quality, compliance, unannounced visits by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency and on the matter of police checks for staff.
“It is important to put some information about Queensland’s aged care sector on the record.
“As for Queensland’s aged care providers, the Australian Government will provide $5.4 billion over the next four years to the state.
“Over the last 10 years, Queensland aged care providers received the highest level of increases in financial support in the nation – and their level of funding continues to grow under the Rudd Government.”
She said Queensland high-care providers recorded the highest returns in Australia after costs, in the order of $10.31 per resident a day in 2005-06.
