It is time for the Gillard Government to respond to their Productivity Commission Report into Caring for Older Australians.
During the 2010 election campaign, Prime Minister Gillard said, “If re-elected, further aged care reform will be a second term priority for my government”. Then Health Minister Roxon added, "We will respond quickly to the commission's recommendations.”
In Senate question time today Shadow Minister for Ageing and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells asked: “Given that it has now been seven months since the Productivity Commission’s report was released and we still don’t have a response – what is the Government’s definition of ‘quickly’?
“Under this government there have been no less than three Productivity Commission reports and some twenty reviews and inquiries.”
“There has been no public response from the Gillard Labor Government to the Productivity Commission’s 58 recommendations. This is the necessary next step,” said Senator Fierravanti-Wells.
At the last election the Coalition set out a framework for real action for ageing and aged care, including the first ever four-year aged care provider agreement with the sector.
“The Coalition understands that real reform cannot be imposed from above. It must be real, affordable and sustainable into the future. Our key consideration is that older Australians receive the care they need, where and when they need it.”
“The Government asked the Productivity Commission to conduct this report. The ball is in the Government’s court - it is now up to the Government to respond,” Senator Fierravanti-Wells concluded.