Santo Santoro (Queensland, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I do not know how often I have to tell Senator McLucas that there is no change in the budget in relation to existing arrangements. Aged care providers have all of the security available to them in terms of forecasting what expenditure they need to incur. I repeat again for the benefit of the senators opposite, and in particular Senator McLucas, that aged care providers know that the government will continue to index government costs consistent with current policy. If Senator McLucas does not understand that, the people in the aged care sector certainly do. I have spoken to a number of them this morning and that issue was not raised with me. It is a furphy manufactured by Senator McLucas. I would strongly recommend that Senator McLucas takes a constructive and nonpolitical approach to this very important issue. (Time expired)