ACSA welcomes new Minister for Ageing

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) the national peak body for not-for-profit and faith-based community and residential aged care providers, has welcomed the appointment of Mark Butler as Minister for Mental Health and Ageing.

ACSA CEO Greg Mundy said Mr Butler’s elevation to the portfolio signals a new era for action on issues confronting our ageing population, including aged care.

"Mr Butler’s experience as Parliamentary Secretary for Health will help forge the critical links between aged care and broader health and medical issues," Mr Mundy said.

"The Prime Minister and the previous Minister for Ageing both promised the people of Australia that aged care would be a priority in their second term of government.

"We look forward to working with Mr Butler to realise this promise to address the long standing difficulties confronting the sector including those flowing from the Productivity Commission Inquiry into aged care.

"In the short term we call on Mr Butler to work with the aged care sector to implement immediate measures to support the sustainability of aged care services which care for more than a million older Australians every day.

"Services across the country, particularly those in rural and remote areas, are struggling to make ends meet as Government funding is eroded by the increasing costs of care.

"Inadequate government funding and limited opportunities to access capital investment are also hindering the construction of new facilities to cater for growing numbers of older Australians.

"Care and support for older Australians should be an entitlement, with choice and access to services when and where they need them."

ACSA, as a member of the Campaign for Care of Older Australians (CCOA), commends The Grand Plan – a new vision for caring for older Australians, as a policy blueprint for aged care reform. www.thegrandplan.com.au

Media contact: Chris Hornsey 0419 513 432