Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Smith, for your deep interest in aged care and also particularly for organising a terrific series of visits and meetings on aged care in regional Western Australia last week.

I am very pleased to advise that the free trade agreement has secured the best ever market access to services provided by China to a foreign country. As Minister Robb has said, when it comes to services, this is the best ever deal China has done by a country mile. China, like or own population, is ageing. By 2025 it is expected that there will be 300 million people aged over 60 in China. Compare this to our own consumers, where by 2020 it is expected that there will be 1.6 million Australians over 65 who will need some form of care.

This is an unprecedented opportunity for Australian aged-care providers to access the world's second largest economy and its huge potential in aged care and health. The agreement permits the establishment of wholly Australian owned hospitals and aged-care services in China. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our aged-care industry. It demonstrates that there is demand in China for the training that we can provide in management, nursing, gerontology, personal care, reablement and facilities management. Australian aged-care providers are keen to sell their services and experience to China. Australian facility managers, property developers and architects are keen to sell their operational and design expertise. This is an opportunity that we cannot afford to let go begging. Also, Australian universities and RTOs are keen to sell education and training services for all levels of aged care both in China and also from Australia. (Time expired)