AGED CARE TASKFORCE: GREAT EXPECTATIONS

National Seniors Australia welcomes the terms of reference and the announcement of the members of the Aged Care Taskforce which includes former CEO of National Seniors Australia Professor John McCallum. The primary function of the taskforce is to review funding arrangements, including consumer contributions to aged care.

“National Seniors Australia called for an independent body to examine funding in past budget submissions, so we hope this taskforce goes some way towards achieving this goal,” said National Seniors Australia Chief Advocate Ian Henschke.

“Whatever funding model is put forward must be fair, transparent, and effcient. Critically, no older person will be willing to contribute more unless they can be assured, they will receive better and higher quality care.

“There are rightly great expectations from today’s announcement but also trepidation, and it will be up to government to put forward a credible and fair plan and be willing to engage in a conversation with the community.”

National Seniors welcomes the Minister’s recognition that dementia care is