New Government and Minister for Ageing welcomed

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA), the national peak body for not-for-profit and faith-based community and residential aged care providers, has welcomed the appointment of Mark Butler as Minister for Mental Health and Ageing.

National Seniors Australia (NSA) chief executive, Michael O’Neill, also welcomed the end of the Federal election campaign with the announcement by the independents that they will support a Labor Government.

Speaking on the appointment, ACSA chief executive officer, Greg Mundy, said Mr Butler’s elevation to the portfolio signals a new era for action on issues confronting our ageing population, including aged care.

“Mr Butler’s experience as Parliamentary Secretary for Health will help forge the critical links between aged care and broader health and medical issues,” Mr Mundy said.

“The Prime Minister and the previous Minister for Ageing both promised the people of Australia that aged care would be a priority in their second term of government.

“We look forward to working with Mr Butler to realise this promise to address the long standing difficulties confronting the sector including those flowing from the Productivity Commission Inquiry into aged care.

“In the short term we call on Mr Butler to work with the aged care sector to implement immediate measures to support the sustainability of aged care services which care for more than a million older Australians every day.

“Services across the country, particularly those in rural and remote areas, are struggling to make ends meet as Government funding is eroded by the increasing costs of care.

“Inadequate Government funding and limited opportunities to access capital investment are also hindering the construction of new facilities to cater for growing numbers of older Australians.

“Care and support for older Australians should be an entitlement, with choice and access to services when and where they need them,” said Mr Mundy.

Welcoming the new Government, Mr O’Neill said NSA would now be working to ensure that the election promises made to seniors by Labor would be kept.

“Of particular importance was Labor’s promise to do away with the current fortnightly income reporting requirements by pensioners. Labor agreed to let pensioners give an annual income report to put an end to the slashing of their fortnightly pension payments that occurs from seasonal work.

“Remaining active and productive as we age is vital and it’s important that pension rules compliment rather than discourage the health and well being of seniors,” Mr O’Neill said.

Labor also promised to create a standalone Age Discrimination Commissioner.

“I am looking forward to the creation of a stand-alone Age Discrimination Commissioner to address the bias and discrimination that older Australians are facing in work places,” he said.

Labor also announced policies targeting seniors including additional training for mature age workers through the existing Experience Plus scheme and support for grandparents who are primary carers.

Mr O’Neill said he was heartened to hear that the independents, Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor, were firm supporters of broadband.

“Broadband is crucial across a range of issues. Currently 56% of those aged over 65 have never used a computer, putting them at a disadvantage in the areas of health and finances.

“I am hoping the independents will look to the best interests of all groups in their electorates, particularly their senior constituents, and make sure they are not left further behind when it comes to the advances in technology,” he said.

NSA would also continue to press health and aged care as important issues for older Australians regardless of whether they were specific promises or not made by the Government, Mr O’Neill said.