New figures shame Rudd on aged care
Reports Tuesday demonstrating the refusal of aged care providers to
accept federal funds because the industry was no longer viable were a
disturbing indictment of the Rudd government’s contempt for elderly
Australians, Federal Member for Tangney Dennis Jensen said.
“It is clear the system is not working,” Dr Jensen said.
“The aged care operators are saying they don’t want subsidies because even with the federal funds, providing care is not a viable concern.”
The reports said aged care providers in Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT had refused to accept take up all the subsidised places put out to tender late last year, in a strong industry protest against the government's funding structure for the sector.
Of funding offered for 1532 beds across fours states in 2007, operators accepted only 735.
Less than half the subsidised places offered for Western Australia and Tasmania were taken up, and none of the 24 places offered in the Northern Territory.
The funding program is intended to ensure sufficient beds of the right types are being made available to the rapidly expanding aged population.
“The Rudd government’s entire approach to the interests of older Australians is a disgrace,” Dr Jensen added.
“These figures on aged care are just another indicator of the contempt with which the government views the aged.”
“It is clear the system is not working,” Dr Jensen said.
“The aged care operators are saying they don’t want subsidies because even with the federal funds, providing care is not a viable concern.”
The reports said aged care providers in Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT had refused to accept take up all the subsidised places put out to tender late last year, in a strong industry protest against the government's funding structure for the sector.
Of funding offered for 1532 beds across fours states in 2007, operators accepted only 735.
Less than half the subsidised places offered for Western Australia and Tasmania were taken up, and none of the 24 places offered in the Northern Territory.
The funding program is intended to ensure sufficient beds of the right types are being made available to the rapidly expanding aged population.
“The Rudd government’s entire approach to the interests of older Australians is a disgrace,” Dr Jensen added.
“These figures on aged care are just another indicator of the contempt with which the government views the aged.”
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