Politicians receive 26,000 letters calling for aged care reforms
Australians concerned about aged care services have sent 26,000 letters to politicians, including the Prime Minister, via the Campaign for Care of Older Australians (CCOA) website www.thegrandplan.com.au
Almost 7,000 visitors to the website have also used the link to send post cards to the older people who have played a grand role in their lives.
CCOA chair, Greg Mundy, said the group’s new vision for caring for older Australians, The Grand Plan, had struck a chord with voters.
“We all have relatives and friends who depend on aged care services and an ageing population who will have nowhere to turn if we don’t act to reform the system,” Mr Mundy said.
Mr Mundy was speaking on the eve of a live debate on the future of aged care between the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, Liberal Party Senator, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and Greens Senator, Rachel Siewert, to be held on 11 August.
The one hour forum will be mediated by the ABC’s Peter Mares.
“This is the first and only debate in this election campaign on the pressing issue of aged care,” Mr Mundy said.
“With more than 2.6 million people aged over 65 on the electoral roll political parties cannot afford to underestimate the importance of aged care.”
An invited audience of aged care stakeholders, including older people and their families, will participate in the debate today.
