Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The care of older Australians is a very important responsibility, and one that our government takes very seriously. That is why, soon after becoming Prime Minister, one of my first decisions was to initiate the royal commission into aged care. That was one of many decisions taken by this government, and also prior to my coming into the role of Prime Minister.

Since 2013 our government has continued to deliver record investment in aged care—from $13.3 billion when we came to office to $24.3 billion now, in the current year. This funding will increase to some $27 billion by 2023-24. Under the stewardship of this government—the effective financial stewardship, I should stress—this is, on average, an extra $1.5 billion of support for older Australians every single year over the forward estimates. More money every year, and increasing, because our government understands the fundamental challenges that we face in the aged-care sector, and we also want to know about all the issues that still need to be addressed. When we called the royal commission into aged care we made very clear that we needed to deal with the fundamental failings in the aged-care sector, which have been happening not just recently but over decades. We need to address those fundamental issues as we respond to the royal commission.

Ms O'Neil interjecting—

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