Vic Community Services arrangements affecting seniors
The Victorian Government has split the policy responsibilities for seniors, reducing the role of former Minister Gavin Jennings, who is now the Minister for Community Services. He will retain responsibility for the policy, planning and funding of aged care services. This includes public sector residential aged care; Supported Residential Services, the Home and Community Care Program; the Aged Care Assessment Program; carer support and dementia services.
Lisa Neville, who was appointed Minister for Aged Care, will have responsibility for state wide seniors policy in relation to population ageing and seniors access and participation programs. This includes Seniors Card, Seniors Festival, positive ageing and policy in relation to elder abuse prevention.
At an administrative level, the Aged Care Branch within the Department of Human Services (DHS) will continue to be responsible for the policy and program management relating to residential aged care and community care services. The Office of Senior Victorians (OSV) within the Department for Victorian Communities will continue to be responsible for state wide seniors policy and seniors participation
and access programs.
The official explanation for the separation of responsibilities at ministerial level is that it is intended to strengthen capacity within DHS to plan and provide a well-coordinated service system, and to strengthen the whole of government focus on issues affecting seniors, many of which involve a range of government agencies.
