News and media
Bipartisan support for Reform?
Source: INsite 14 May 2012
The shadow minister for ageing will detail the opposition’s position on aged care reforms at industry event this Friday. Natasha Egan reports.
The shadow minister for ageing, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells will outline the coalition’s response to the government’s reform package, Living Longer, Living Better at the Aged Care Association Australia (ACAA) NSW Congress on Friday.
A spokesperson for Fierravanti-Wells told INSite that the senator will provide general observations and reflections from the sector, in addition to articulating the coalition’s position. more
Will the opposition support older Australians?
Source: Media Release – Agewell Campaign – National Aged Care Alliance 11 May 2012
Seniors, aged care workers, aged care service providers and health professionals were disappointed by the absence of a commitment to support aged care reform in the Federal Opposition’s Budget Reply speech last night.
The 28 organisations of the National Aged Care Alliance said bipartisan support was absolutely critical for long-term improvement of Australia’s aged care system.
COTA Australia’s Chief Executive Ian Yates said Tony Abbott’s Budget Reply commented on only one narrow aspect of an overall reform package and did not address how the Opposition would care for older Australians. more
We’re just not there yet
Source: Australian Ageing Agenda – 11 May 2012
Aged care reform may have been announced and rubber stamped by the Labor Party but the government’s recently announced Living Longer Living Better package, contained in the 2012/13 Federal Budget, is still yet to receive the Opposition’s tick of approval and gain bipartisan support.
Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott, is due to present his budget ‘right of reply’ in Parliament tonight, alongside Shadow Treasurer, Joe Hockey, who will also speak about the country’s 2012/13 financial plan. more
New website to compare aged care services
Source: ABC Online, 10 May 2012
A new website is being set up, similar to the controversial My School site, to help people choose aged care providers.
The federal budget includes funding for a My Aged Care website, set to be launched by the end of the 2012-13 financial year as part of the Aged Care Gateway.
The Federal Department of Health and Ageing will operate the website, along with a call centre for those who cannot access the internet.
The new website will list information on how to access services for older people, the standards and fees charged. Read more
Aged care sector calls for bipartisan support for reform
Media Release – National Aged Care Alliance – 10 May 2012
The aged care sector today called on the Opposition to support the hard won reform of Australia’s aged care system outlined in the Federal Budget.
The 28 organisations of the National Aged Care Alliance, representing seniors, workers, service providers and health professionals said the Opposition must uphold their previous commitment to support reform.
COTA Australia Chief Executive Ian Yates said the need for reform was too great to be hampered by party politics. Read more
Older Australians to Benefit in Budget 2012
Source: Pro Bono Australia News 9 May 2012
The 2012 Federal Budget confirms Australia is on the path to ageing well, according to aged care organisations representing seniors, workers, carers, aged care providers and health professionals.
The National Aged Care Alliance welcomed the Federal Government’s budget commitment to its aged care reform package and was cautiously optimistic about the outcomes.
COTA Australia Chief Executive Ian Yates said it was pleasing to finally see a real beginning to aged care reform. more
Ita Buttrose welcomes aged care reforms
Source: Nine MSN News – 8 May 2012
The budget has responded to the needs of the 1.5 million Australians living with dementia, Alzheimer’s Australia national president Ita Buttrose says.
She said measures contained in the budget would put Australia in a good position as it faces an increasing dementia burden among its aging population.
“Tonight’s federal budget takes crucial steps to address dementia across the health and aged care system and sets the scene for long awaited changes to the way people living with dementia will receive care,” Ms Buttrose said in a statement. more
Older Australians to benefit in Budget 2012
The release of the 2012 Federal Budget confirms Australia is on the path to ageing well, the 28 aged care organisations representing seniors, workers, carers, aged care providers and health professionals said today.
The National Aged Care Alliance welcomed the Federal Government’s budget commitment to its aged care reform package and was cautiously optimistic about the outcomes.
COTA Australia Chief Executive Ian Yates said it was pleasing to finally see a real beginning to aged care reform.
All eyes on ABC @7.30pm
Source: Australian Ageing Agenda 8 May 2012
Tonight’s 2012/13 Federal Budget announcement won’t contain any last minute surprises for the sector but it will be a cause for ‘official’ celebration as the much-hoped for dental, disability and aged care measures, already announced, formally appear in print in this year’s budget papers.
At 7.30pm, the Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan, will reveal the finer details of the $1.5 billion surplus budget to the country, as he attempts to sell his government’s 2012/13 financial plan with an explanatory speech, beamed across the ABC1 and ABC24 airways. more
Budget must make good on aged care promises
Media Release – National Aged Care Alliance – 8 May 2012
The aged care sector today said it will be scrutinising closely the 2012 Federal Budget when it is brought down on Tuesday to ensure the Government makes good on its commitment to a $3.7 billion aged care reform package.
The 28 organisations of the National Aged Care Alliance, who have campaigned for fundamental reform to support the ageing population, said this budget must press the go button on the reforms proposed by the Federal Government last month. more